(a) The public defender, with the approval of the appointive body, may provide for as many full or part time assistant public defenders, clerks, investigators, stenographers and other employes as he may deem necessary to enable him to carry out the duties of his office. The salary board shall fix the salary of the public defender and of the personnel authorized by this section.

(b) In lieu of, or in addition to assistant public defenders, the public defender may arrange for and make use of the services of attorneys at law admitted to practice before the Supreme and Superior Courts of this Commonwealth and the court of common pleas of the county or counties in which they may serve, when such attorneys volunteer to act as assistants, without compensation, to enable him to carry out the duties of his office.

(c) The public defender and assistant public defenders, if any, shall be attorneys at law admitted to practice before the Supreme and Superior Courts of this Commonwealth. Residency within a judicial district shall not be a requirement for the appointment of a public defender.