Ala. Code § 45-49-120.09
The director shall, as soon as practicable after September 15, 1939, ascertain and record an outline of the duties of each position in the classified service, and after consultation with appointing authorities and principal supervising officials, recommend to the board a classification plan, together with proposed rules for its administration. Such classification plan shall show each class of position in the classified service separately stated as to each appointing authority and when approved by the board shall be made public, together with the rules for its administration. Each such class shall include positions requiring duties which are substantially similar in respect to the authority, responsibility, and character of that required in the performance thereof and shall be designated by a title indicative of such duties. Each class shall be so defined that the same general requirements as to education, experience, capacity, knowledge, skill, and aptitude are demanded of incumbents for the proper performance of their duties; that the same tests of fitness may be used in choosing qualified appointees; and that the same schedule of pay can be made to apply with equity under like conditions. The class titles shall be used in personnel, budget and financial records and communications. As far as practicable the natural or probable lines of promotion to and demotion from the class of position shall be designated or indicated. The director of personnel shall have authority to investigate concerning the number of employees in any department or office for employment and if in his or her opinion, after conference with the department head, there are an excessive number or an insufficient number of employees in proportion to the amount of work required in such department or office, the director shall recommend to the personnel board that the excessive number of employees, if any there be, be laid off or transferred, either permanently or temporarily, in accordance with this part, or the director, if in his or her judgment there be an insufficient number of employees, may certify to the appointing authority additional names to fill such positions, and the appointing authority shall put into effect the order of the personnel board in any such respect.
Ala. Code § 45-49-120.09 (1975)