A deputy chief of staff to Gov. Bill Richardson will have a new job at the Department of Workforce Solutions starting Dec. 26.

The governor has appointed Teresa Casados to serve as a deputy secretary at the department, a spokeswoman said. She will oversee the department's Workforce Services Bureau, Business Services Division, Labor Relations Division and State Administrative Entity. She replaces Teresa Gomez, who is now the director of policy development.

Casados will earn $46.32 an hour; Gomez's salary wasn't immediately available, said Workforce Solutions spokeswoman Carrie Moritomo.

The appointment isn't sitting well with some employees. An e-mail from "John Doe" urged those in the department to fight it.

"Governor Richardson has given out his Christmas gifts early this year and unfortunately, you must've been on the naughty list because you got 5 furlough days," it said.

"Other folks who are on Governor Richardson's nice list got rewarded with a $100,000 per year position at DWS as your new deputy secretary. ... Folks, we have strength in numbers. We must stand together to fight against this outrageous behavior."

The move comes as many state workers are forced to take five unpaid days off before June 2010. In addition, Richardson recently eliminated 59 exempt positions from his administration.

The appointment also comes amid a hiring freeze implemented last November.

Contact Kate Nash at 986-3036 or knash@sfnewmexican. Read her blog at www.greenchilechatter.com.