2006 New York Code - Department Heads.

 
    §  202.  Department  heads.  1. The county executive shall appoint, to
  serve during his pleasure, the head of every department  or  office  not
  administered  by an elective official, except that an appointive auditor
  or comptroller shall always be appointed by the board of supervisors and
  except  as  otherwise  specifically  provided  in  this   chapter.   The
  appointment of the head of any department or office in a county adopting
  the  county  administrator  form, the county director form or the county
  president form, shall  be  subject  to  confirmation  by  the  board  of
  supervisors.  The county executive may with the approval of the board of
  supervisors  appoint  one  head  for  two  or  more   departments.   All
  appointments  shall be in writing under the hand of the county executive
  and filed and recorded in the office of the county  clerk.  A  duplicate
  certificate  of  each  appointment  shall be filed with the clerk of the
  board of supervisors within ten days after the appointment is made.
    2. Subject to the provisions of section five of  the  public  officers
  law, the head of any such department or office, unless reappointed for a
  new  term, shall not be authorized or permitted to serve beyond the term
  of the county executive by whom the appointment was made, except that he
  shall continue to  serve  until  his  successor  is  appointed  and  has
  qualified.
    3.  In  any  county adopting the county administrator form, the county
  director form or the county president form,  the  county  executive  may
  appoint  the  head  of  any  department  by  interim appointment pending
  confirmation. Any such interim appointment shall be effective for ninety
  days only and may not be renewed or extended. The county executive  may,
  however,  act  as  head  of the department, or designate a deputy in the
  department to be acting head until the appointment is confirmed  or  the
  position otherwise filled.
    4. The head of a department, one deputy and the confidential secretary
  of the head of each department or office shall be in the exempt class of
  the  civil  service. This section shall not affect any other position in
  the exempt class now or hereafter included therein  by  or  pursuant  to
  law.
    5.  Except  as  otherwise  provided in this chapter and subject to any
  pertinent provisions of  the  civil  service  law,  the  head  of  every
  department  and  office shall appoint all of his subordinates. Except as
  otherwise provided in the civil service  law,  such  subordinates  shall
  serve during his pleasure.