1.  Appointment.  The commissioner may appoint chief administrative officers as necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the department, subject to the Civil Service Law.  

2.  Acting chief administrative officer.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the commissioner may delegate any employee of the department to serve as the acting chief administrative officer of any facility, if the office of the chief administrative officer of the facility is vacant.  

3.  Director of women's services.  In addition to the officers appointed under subsections 1 and 2, the commissioner may appoint a director of women’s services to serve as the chief administrative officer of any adult correctional facility female housing units. The director of women’s services has all the powers and duties of other department chief administrative officers, whether described in this Title or in any other provision of statute.