Language Incentive Pay (GA-48, Rev. 3)CITY OF DELRAY BEACH
ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
DEPARTMENT:Human Resources POLICY NUMBER:GA-48
SUBJECT:
REVISION:
APPROVED BY:
SUPERSEDES:Rev.2
E DATE:10/3/2024
Terrence Moore,City Manager
PURPOSE
The purpose of this directive is to establish procedures for payment of language incentive monies to
employees who make substantial use of Spanish or Creole in the performance of their official duties.This
procedure shall apply to employees who routinely come into contact with the public,and who demonstrate
proficiency in Spanish or Creole.
Employees who possess the ability to communicate with citizens in Spanish or Creole play a critical role in
extending the services of the City of Delray Beach to persons with Limited English Proficiency.In order to
recognize the importance these individuals play in public service,the City of Delray Beach will pay incentive
monies to those employees who possess defined levels of proficiency in either of the two languages and
who utilize that skill in their official duties.
DEFINITIONS
A.Substantial Use -for the purpose of this directive shall be defined as considerable use of a
foreign language in amount,extent,value,or importance to the City of Delray Beach in interaction
with the public.
B.Verification -a yearly process by which the Human Resources Department verifies that the
employee should continue to receive the incentive pay.This verification must be signed by the
employee's immediate supervisor and department head attesting to their continued "Substantial
Use"of the language.
C.Limited English Proficiency (L.E.P.)-individuals who are not proficient in the English language
at a level which allows comprehension of communication during encounters with City employees.
D.Official Duties -duties that include,but not limited to translating,interpreting,communicating and
dealing with citizens in a capacity associated with an employee's official duties.
POLICY
A.Employees who possess the ability to communicate (speaking,reading,writing,and listening)with
the public in Spanish or Creole and who translate for persons with L.E.P.on a consistent basis may
submit an application for testing to receive language incentive pay.The process for application shall
consist on the following requirements:
Language Incentive Pay
GA-48 Rev.23
Page 2 of 2
1.Employee must complete and sign the Application for Language Incentive Pay form,
available from Human Resources,indicating their preferred language.
2.By signing the application the employee attests to his/her abilities and that the language is
used during performance of his/her official duties.
B.The signed application shall be approved by the employee's immediate supervisor and department
head;and sent to the Human Resources Department.Approval by the department head ensures
that the applicant's duties have a clear nexus to the language skill.
C.The Human Resources Department will schedule applicants for initial testing.The Human
Resources Department is charged with researching and establishing the standards for which
language incentive pay may be given,as well as the methods for administering evaluations to
determine proficiency.These evaluations will be conducted by an independent contractor qualified
to administer such testing.
D.Employees who achieve a "passing"score in Spanish or Creole will be eligible for Language
Incentive pay at the rate of $.45 per hour,except for sworn police officers and sergeants.These
employees should refer to the current PBA collective bargaining agreement for their Language
Incentive pay.The Language Incentive shall be paid as a bonus outside the salary range and shall
be included in overtime calculation.
E.An employee who fails to achieve a "passing"score for language incentive pay may apply to be
reevaluated in the same language not less than one (1)year from the date of application.
F.Annually,Human Resources will provide each department director with the list employees in their
department who receive the language incentive.Directors will be asked to confirm that the
employee is still in a position that requires substantial use of the compensated language in the
performance of their office duties.
G.The employee's department is responsible for the cost of the initial test.
APPLICATION FOR LANGUAGE INCENTIVE PAY
EMPLOYEE'S NAME -----------DATE ---------
DEPARTMENT PHONE NUMBER--------------------
SUPERVISOR -----------
APPLICATION FOR:(Check one)
PHONE NUMBER--------
SPANISH LANGUAGE INCENTIVE PAY □
CREOLE LANGUAGE INCENTIVE PAY □
Applicant must utilize Spanish and/or Creole during the course of their assigned duties as
needed and respond to requests to translate.By signing below,the applicant verifies that
they are qualified as such.Supervisor and Department Head signatures verify substantial use
of the language during the performance of the employee's duties.Employee must achieve at
least a rating of "Intermediate High"to qualify for the incentive.
Note:The employee's department is responsible for the cost of the test,currently $145 each,
and the $.45 per hour incentive pay.
APPLICANT SIGNATURE DA TE:-------------------
APPROVED BY:DATE:------------------------Immediate Supervisor
DATE:------------------------Department Head
DATE:-------Human Resources