(1) The head of an agency or the governing board of a higher education institution or related board may delegate the responsibilities and duties of an appointing authority including the authority to appoint, transfer, layoff, reduce, dismiss, suspend, or demote employees.

(2) Authority may only be delegated to individuals in positions reporting directly to the head of the agency, deputy director, president of the institution, or vice president of the institution, or individuals who are the heads of the major subdivisions of the employer.

(3) Delegation of authority must be in writing.