The state public defender shall supervise the operation, activities, policies and procedures of the state public defender system. The state public defender shall employ or retain assistant state public defenders, a chief administrator, a deputy state public defender in charge of appellate services, and other personnel as may be necessary to discharge the functions of the office. An assistant state public defender shall be a qualified attorney, licensed to practice law in this state, serve in the unclassified service of the state if employed, and serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority at a salary or retainer fee not to exceed reasonable compensation for comparable services performed for other governmental agencies or departments. Retained or part-time employed assistant state public defenders may engage in the general practice of law.