The secretary of health and environment may appoint a chief attorney and other attorneys for the department of health and environment. The chief attorney shall serve at the pleasure of the secretary, shall be in the unclassified service under the Kansas civil service act and shall receive an annual salary fixed by the secretary of health and environment and approved by the governor. The secretary of health and environment may also appoint staff assistants. Such staff assistants and attorneys other than the chief attorney shall be in the classified service under the Kansas civil service act. The secretary of health and environment may appoint one public information officer, one personal secretary and one special assistant who shall be in the unclassified service under the Kansas civil service act and shall receive compensation fixed by the secretary of health and environment and approved by the governor.