Any state employee or applicant for state employment, or any employee or applicant for employment with a California Community College, who believes that he or she has been retaliated against in employment for having reported improper governmental activity, as that phrase is defined in Government Code section 8547.2(b), or Education Code section 87162(c), or for having refused to obey an illegal order or directive, as defined in Government Code section 8547.2(e), or Education Code section 87162(b), may file a complaint and/or appeal with the State Personnel Board in accordance with the provisions set forth in sections 67.2 through 67.8. For purposes of complaints filed by community college employees or applicants for community college employment, the local community college district shall be deemed the “appointing power.”