(a) Department to appoint.--The department shall appoint in the various district offices a sufficient number of agents, clerks, stenographers and other employees to fully and efficiently administer the parole laws of this Commonwealth, but no employee of the department shall be appointed by the department except in the manner provided by this chapter.

(b) Salaries and qualifications.--The salaries of the appointees in subsection (a) shall be fixed by the department. The department shall from time to time by appropriate rule or regulation prescribe the qualifications to be possessed by its personnel. The qualifications shall be such as will best promote the efficient operation of probation and parole.