The commissioner, in consultation with the attorney general, shall designate a person as the administrator and chief executive officer of the office who shall be called the long-term care ombudsman and who shall be a person with expertise and experience in the field of long-term care advocacy. The long-term care ombudsman shall designate such other qualified persons needed to perform the functions of this office. The long-term care ombudsman shall devote his or her entire time to the duties of the position. The long-term care ombudsman shall receive such salary as shall be provided in a classified position as determined by the division of personnel, unless administered on a contract basis.