Ala. Code § 45-58A-70.45

(a) The classification plan shall provide a complete inventory of all employee positions in the service of the city and an accurate description of and specifications for each class of work, including all other employee positions in the city for which salary and benefits are set out by the city, with the exception of the city council and mayor. The plan shall standardize titles so that each is indicative of a definite range of duties and responsibilities and has the same meaning throughout the service and shall show whether the position is deemed a regular or exempt position.

(b) The classification plan shall consist of the following:

(1) A grouping in classes of positions which are approximately equal in difficulty and responsibility, call for the same general qualifications, and can be equitably compensated within the same range of pay under similar working conditions.

(2) Class titles that are descriptive of the work of the class and identify the class. These class titles shall be used in all personnel, accounting, budget, and related records. No person shall be appointed to or employed in a position in the classified service under a title not included in the classification plan. Working titles may be used in the course of departmental routine to indicate authority, status in the organization, or administrative rank.

(3) Job descriptions for each position. The descriptions shall first be recommended by the director or department head with approval by the mayor. The written specifications for each position shall include all of the following:

a. A title that is descriptive and consistent with other titles in the plan.

b. A brief overall description of the kind and level of work.

c. Examples of typical duties performed in positions in the class.

d. Qualification requirements setting forth the necessary experience, education, certifications, physical endurance, physical fitness level, or other requirements.

e. The required knowledge, skills, and abilities needed in order to perform the work, the pay grade associated with the position, and the supervision of the position.

(4) An allocation list showing the class title of each position in the regular service as identified by the name of the occupant.

(c) The classification plan shall be used as follows:

(1) As a guide in recruiting and examining candidates for employment.

(2) For determining lines of promotion and in developing employee training programs.

(3) For determining salaries to be paid for various types of work based on wage surveys and job analyses.

(4) For determining personnel service items in departmental budgets.

(5) For providing job terminology, understandable by all officials, employees, and the general public.

(d) The council, by resolution, shall prepare or direct the preparation of the classification plan, as needed, from time to time. When the plan is completed and adopted, the director shall submit to each department head a copy of the class specifications for each position class and a list allocating the positions to the tentative position classes. Each department head shall notify employees about the allocation of their respective positions. The director shall make a copy of the class specification and individual allocation available to each employee or his or her representative on request.

(e) The director shall maintain the classification plan to reflect the duties performed by each employee in the classified service and the class to which each position is allocated.

(f) The director shall do all of the following:

(1) Recommend to the mayor and city council the establishment of new position classes and the deletion or revision of existing classes.

(2) Review the duties and responsibilities of each new position established and allocate the position to the appropriate position class.

(3) Periodically study positions to determine if changes in duties and responsibilities are necessary and recommend reallocation or reclassification of positions. A classification study may be made at the request of the mayor or city council. A change in duty assignments of a current employee may occur only after the employee has been performing the duties for a sufficient duration to warrant investigation. A change in the employee’s duty assignment may not be temporary in nature.

(4) Direct the grading and classifying of all positions in the classified service at least once every five years.

(g) When a position is reallocated to another position class, the method of filling the position shall be determined under this part regarding transfers, demotions, or promotions as may be appropriate.

(h) The mayor may recommend to the city council the elimination or modification of approved job descriptions and positions in the classification plan, together with any pay grade recommendations associated with the position. Upon approval by the council, any nonexempt regular employee currently serving in a position being eliminated or modified, where the change would result in the employee’s termination or demotion, shall have all rights of appeal afforded to employees solely as to the question of whether the elimination or modification was arbitrary and capricious. In the event a modification of a nonexempt employee position results in additional duties, the affected employee may request, in writing, a pay grade review by the council, and the council may modify the pay grade classification.