Section 655. Civil service status of officers and employees

Officers and
  employees of any board, commission or department of the  county  may  be
  transferred  to  the  authority in accordance with the provisions of the
  civil  service  law  and  shall  be  eligible  for  such  transfer   and
  appointment  without  examination  to  offices  and  positions under the
  authority. Officers and employees of  the  county  who  are  members  or
  beneficiaries  of  any  existing  pension  or  retirement  system  shall
  continue to have the rights, privileges,  obligations  and  status  with
  respect  to such system or systems as are now prescribed by law, and all
  such employees who have been appointed to positions in  the  service  of
  the  county under the rules of the county civil service commission shall
  have the  same  status  with  respect  thereto  after  transfer  to  the
  authority as they had under their original appointments. The appointment
  and  promotion  of  all  employees  of  the  authority  shall be made in
  accordance with the provisions of the civil service law and the rules of
  the county civil service commission.