All deputies and clerks shall be under the control of the officer by whom they are selected and employed, who may discharge any such deputy or clerk at any time, subject to the provisions of any applicable collective bargaining agreement or personal rules. The officer shall be responsible for all the official acts, neglects and defaults of all deputies and clerks the officer employs.

The chief deputy or, if there is no chief deputy, the deputy employed by each of the officers shall be possessed of all the authority of their respective offices, and in the absence or disability of the duty elected officer, the chief deputy of such officer shall perform all duties of the office, until the vacancy so created shall be filled as required by the Constitution of the State.