R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-1-4: Expenses — Employment of personnel.

The director of the department of environmental management may incur such expenses and employ such superintendents, engineers, draftspersons, assistants, agents, watchpersons, clerks, and other persons as the director may deem necessary to enable the department to carry out its duties under chapters 1 — 7 of this title, at a cost not to exceed the sum appropriated therefor.