Ala. Code § 45-21-130.12
In the event an emergency should arise, in which it would be impossible for the county commission to employ an engineer, as hereinabove provided for, then, in that event the county commission shall employ a competent road supervisor who need not be an engineer, but, when so employed, shall have all the duties and authority of the engineer, and be subject to this article; but an emergency shall not exist so long as the Director of Transportation can nominate an engineer who will accept employment by the board under the terms of this article, it being the intention of this article to provide that, when county roads are to be maintained or constructed in the county, the supervision thereof shall be either under a county engineer, as hereinabove provided for, or, by a road supervisor, who is not a member of the county commission.
Ala. Code § 45-21-130.12 (1975)