The conservancy shall determine the qualifications of, and it shall appoint and fix the salary of, the executive officer of the conservancy, who shall be exempt from civil service, and shall appoint such other staff as may be necessary to carry out the powers and functions set forth in this division. To the maximum extent possible, the conservancy shall utilize the staff of the commission for purposes of planning and project evaluation, and the staff of the Real Estate Services Division of the Department of General Services in carrying out acquisition, leasing, disposal, and other real property transactions authorized under this division.