The Pell City Council has adjusted job descriptions for the city’s fire chief and recreation director positions.

A majority of council members voted to remove stipulations requiring that applicants for both posts have four-year college degrees.  Mayor Bill Hereford said that the adjustments will allow the council to substitute experience for education when selecting applicants.  

The city has been without a permanent fire chief and parks and recreation director for more than a year.  Capt. Jim Parsons has served as interim chief of the fire department, with Bubba Edge serving as interim director of parks and recreation.  

Neither currently holds a four-year degree but the council’s action now qualifies both for permanent positions, although the city is expected to continue advertising for applicants.