Section 122. Eligibility of incumbents of positions not heretofore classified

A position to which the  provisions  of  this  article  are  hereafter  extended  shall be classified under an appropriate title. For
  the purpose of continuing the essential activities of the state  without
  interruption,  and  notwithstanding  any inconsistent provisions of this
  chapter,  the  president  of  the  state  civil  service  commission  is
  empowered,  without  requiring  an examination, to approve the continued
  employment of  the  permanent  incumbent  of  such  position  under  its
  classified   title  upon  the  certification  of  the  director  of  the
  classification and compensation division that such  incumbent  has  been
  satisfactorily performing the duties of such position for a period of at
  least   one  year  immediately  prior  to  such  extension.  After  such
  classification becomes effective, such incumbent shall  be  entitled  to
  the  same  salary,  status, rights, privileges and benefits as if he had
  been originally appointed under this chapter to the position  designated
  by  the  classified title. No such incumbent, by reason of any change in
  title, shall be deprived of any rights he might previously have acquired
  under  this  chapter  for  appointment,   transfer,   reinstatement   or
  promotion.