Officers and employees.

§ 206. Officers and employees. (a) The Director may employ and prescribe the functions of such officers and employees, including attorneys, as are necessary to perform the functions vested in him. At the discretion of the Director, any officer or employee of the Office may be allowed and paid travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in the same manner as is authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, for individuals employed intermittently. (b) In addition to the number of positions which may be placed in grades GS–16, 17, and 18 under section 5108 of title 5, United States Code, and without prejudice to the placement of other positions in the Office in such grades under any authority other than this subsection, not to exceed ten positions in the Office may be placed in grades GS–16, 17, and 18, but in accordance with the procedures prescribed under such section 5108. The authority for such additional positions shall terminate on the date specified in section 104 of this Act.