§ 655. Civil service status of officers and employees. Officers and employees of any board, commission or department of the county may be transferred to the authority in accordance with the provisions of the civil service law and shall be eligible for such transfer and appointment without examination to offices and positions under the authority. Officers and employees of the county who are members or beneficiaries of any existing pension or retirement system shall continue to have the rights, privileges, obligations and status with respect to such system or systems as are now prescribed by law, and all such employees who have been appointed to positions in the service of the county under the rules of the county civil service commission shall have the same status with respect thereto after transfer to the authority as they had under their original appointments. The appointment and promotion of all employees of the authority shall be made in accordance with the provisions of the civil service law and the rules of the county civil service commission.