The commission shall appoint and employ a secretary and such accounting, engineering, expert and clerical assistants, and such other qualified assistants as may be necessary to carry on the administrative work of the commission.

The secretary shall be the custodian of the commission's official seal, and shall keep full and accurate minutes of all transactions, proceedings and determinations of the commission and perform such other duties as may be required by the commission.

The commission may deputize one or more of its assistants to perform, in the name of the commission, such duties of the commission as it deems expedient. The commission may, by rule or order, delegate to designated assistants any of the powers and duties vested in or imposed upon the commission by law except matters governed by chapter 34.05 RCW; however, a matter may not be delegated to a person who has worked as an advocate on the same docket. Delegated powers and duties may be exercised in the name of the commission. The commission by rule shall implement a process by which notice shall be provided of matters designated for delegation. Any such matter shall be heard or reviewed by commissioners at the request of any commissioner or any affected person.