The Director of the Youth Authority may participate in a local work furlough program established pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 1208 of the Penal Code, or conduct or discontinue a work furlough rehabilitation program, in accordance with the provisions of this article, for appropriate classes of wards at one or more Youth Authority institutions. He or she may designate any officer or employee of the department to be the Youth Authority work furlough administrator and may assign personnel to assist the administrator.