In the Office of the Secretary, the Secretary shall have assistants, professional consultants, and employees as provided in the State budget. The Secretary may designate a staff assistant to be in charge of a particular area of responsibility within the Office of the Secretary. In the Office of the Secretary: each staff assistant in charge of a particular area of responsibility and each professional consultant serves at the pleasure of the Secretary; and except as otherwise provided by law, the Secretary shall appoint and may remove all other employees in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article.