There may be a deputy secretary of the department, who shall be appointed by the secretary with consent of the Senate and who shall serve at the pleasure of the secretary at a salary fixed by the secretary, which salary shall not exceed the amount approved for such position by the legislature while in session. The duties and functions of the deputy secretary shall be determined and assigned by the secretary. If appointed, he shall serve as acting secretary in the absence of the secretary.
La. R.S. § 36:355