However, Huntsman will not likely get involved in the hiring of a "public information officer III" — as one lower-level job is described. Even though that PIO is officially a non-merit employee position, it would not be assumed that the Tax Commission's spokesman would submit a resignation, or even consider leaving the job.

Other "exempt" positions, while officially appointed positions, are even further removed from gubernatorial scrutiny.

The State Board of Education is overseen by an elected board. The State Office of Education has 40 exempt positions, most of whom would be picked by the superintendent of public education or his top aides.

Likewise, the State Board of Regents and the appointed commissioner of higher education oversees the public university structure, which has many exempt positions, as well.

And while a sitting governor would have little direct influence on who gets those jobs, it always helps to have friends in high places.

It is not unusual for current exempt employees to look around for new positions in state government when a sitting governor leaves.

Amanda Covington is Walker's communications director. It would have been unlikely that Huntsman would keep an outgoing governor's press secretary — that job requires a trust and comfort level not easily switched from one politician to another.

But Covington was well-respected throughout state government. Last month she was picked by the higher education commissioner to be a spokeswoman in that office. And Huntsman has already named his own press secretary, Tammy Kikuchi.

Other times, top gubernatorial aides jump into a different state field when their old job is about to end with a change of administration.

Francine Giani was former Gov. Norm Bangerter's press secretary. Before he left office in 1992, Giani was named to be the director of Consumer Affairs, an office in the Commerce Department. She's stayed there for all 12 years of the Leavitt/Walker administration.

Department heads were asked earlier this month by Huntsman to submit their resignations to Gov. Walker. While that's not a surprise, it's resulted in a lot of speculation about who's in and who's out.

At least one department head has already made that decision. Robin Arnold Williams, the head of the Department of Human Services for close to nine years, said she loves her job but wants to move on.

"I've very proud of what we have accomplished, but I am also looking forward to other opportunities to see where else I can contribute. I will stay in the area of human services because it is my profession as well as my passion."

Other department heads either haven't made up their minds or are playing coy.

The head of the Department of Health, Dr. Scott Williams, refused to comment on his future hopes, for example. Williams, a pediatrician, has been with the department since 1993 and took over as director last year.