The state land surveyor shall, under guidance of the department of agriculture and with the recommendation of the land survey commission, carry out the routine functions and duties of the department of agriculture, as prescribed in sections 60.510 to 60.620 and section 60.670. He or she shall, whenever practical, cause all land surveys, except geodetic surveys, to be executed, under his or her direction by the registered county surveyor or a local registered land surveyor when no registered county surveyor exists. He or she shall perform such other work and acts as shall, in the judgment of the department of agriculture and with the recommendation of the land survey commission, be necessary and proper to carry out the objectives of sections 60.510 to 60.620 and section 60.670 and, within the limits of appropriations made therefor and subject to the approval of the department of agriculture, employ and fix the compensation of such additional employees as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of sections 60.510 to 60.620 and section 60.670.