Second Language Compensation Program
The purpose of Larimer County’s second language program is to encourage and recognize employees who use a second language to serve the customers of Larimer County. Our ability to communicate with our non-English speaking residents, customers, and visitors to the County strengthens our overall service delivery, enhances customer services, and creates a more inclusive culture.
IMPORTANT: At this time, the County is only offering Second Language Testing and Compensation to employees who speak Spanish. This program may expand in the future to include other languages.
The County will provide a flat rate each pay period consistent with the table contained in this program description to employees (regular or limited-term) who have completed the application and approval process. This compensation is being offered to employees who are not already receiving increased pay in their annual salaries in bilingual required positions. Employees must be utilizing their second language skills during work hours for work purposes to be eligible. The frequency of use of the second language and proficiency level will determine the additional compensation an employee will receive per pay period.
ELIGIBILITY
In order for an employee to be eligible for the Second Language Compensation program, the employee must submit an application*, approved by their Supervisor and Decision Maker.
- The complete approved application will be automatically sent to the Human Resources Department email (HumanResources@co.larimer.co.us).
- Once the application is processed, the employee will be scheduled for fluency testing with Language Testing International (LTI).
- The results of the testing will be provided to the Human Resources department and communicated to the employee and Supervisor.
The employee must recertify for the program annually by submitting a recertification form, which must be approved by the Supervisor and Decision Maker.
* Applications received after a test window has closed will automatically be entered in the next testing group.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Regular or Limited-term employees
- Must have a ‘standard’ or ‘above standard’ on their most recent performance evaluation to qualify.
- Completed and approved program application.
- Annually recertify for the program.
There are two types of fluency that can be tested for: Verbal (Speaking/Listening) and Written (Reading/Writing).
- In the Verbal Fluency, there are three levels of proficiency the County will provide compensation for: Intermediate, Advanced Low, and Advanced Medium or High. The County would also like to recognize those employees who have developed/are developing second language skills in order to better assist the public. For those employees who score at the Novice level (a non-compensated level), or employees that score below the level the Department or Office would like, the County will ask the employee to further improve their second language skills by completing additional learning, this may include a subscription to Babble. They will be expected to complete testing again in one year and achieve the appropriate proficiency level.
- Within the Written Fluency, the County will require an employee to achieve an Advanced score in order to be eligible for compensation. This is because those employees who are utilizing their second language skills in a written form have demonstrated there is a need to have a strong grasp of written mechanics to ensure information is communicated correctly in this form.
Testing will be conducted using the Human Resources approved vendor, Language Testing International.
- It is $63 each for a Writing Fluency test and Verbal Fluency Test. The cost for testing is to be paid by the eligible employee’s Department or Office.
- Employees who live within the State of Colorado and are a reasonable distance from the County’s Administrative Services offices are required to complete the testing at the County’s 200 W. Oak St. location with a representative of Human Resources serving as the test proctor.
- If an employee lives out of state or a significant distance from the County’s Administrative Services offices, then the Department or Office may pay an additional remote proctoring fee of $32.
- Results of testing will be received by the Human Resources Department, who will then communicate the results to the employee and the Supervisor or Decision Maker.
Human Resources will conduct testing during calendar windows, currently scheduled quarterly throughout the year. Tests will be scheduled within a two week time period. The testing windows for 2024 are:
- January 22 - February 1, 2024
- March 25 - April 5, 2024
- June 17-28, 2024
- October 14-25, 2024
Applications for the program must be submitted and fully approved prior to these testing windows if an employee and department/office wish to have the employee tested for that quarter. **Applications require multiple levels of approval, including a Supervisor and the Department Head. If the application is not completely approved prior to the start date of the testing period, the employee will not be scheduled for that period, their testing will be schedule for the testing period following.
Once an application is approved, the employee will receive a confirmation. If you have not received your confirmation, please check with your supervisor and/or your Department Head.
TYPES OF FLUENCY |
||||
| VERBAL | WRITTEN | |||
| PROFICIENCY LEVEL | ||||
| FREQUENCY OF USE | Intermediate (All Levels) |
Advanced (Low) |
Advanced (Med/High) |
Intermediate (Med/High) Advanced (All Levels) |
|
Low |
$15 per pay period $390 annual salary amount |
$25 per pay period $650 annual salary amount |
$35 per pay period $910 annual salary amount |
$15 per pay period $390 annual salary amount |
|
Medium |
$20 per pay period $520 annual salary amount |
$30 per pay period $780 annual salary amount |
$40 per pay period $1,040 annual salary amount |
$25 per pay period $650 annual salary amount |
|
High |
$30 per pay period $780 annual salary amount |
$40 per pay period $1,040 annual salary amount |
$50 per pay period $1,300 annual salary amount |
$35 per pay period $910 annual salary amount |
*The compensation will be prorated for employees whose standard hours are less than 40 hours per week based on their authorized hours per week.
Employees who are approved in the Second Language program may be called upon to provide interpretation assistance on behalf of the County, on an as-needed basis outside of their regular job duties/responsibilities.
Human Resources Department
HOURS: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
200 West Oak, Suite 3200, Fort Collins, CO 80521
PO Box 1190, Fort Collins, CO 80522
PHONE: (970) 498-5970 | FAX: (970) 498-5980
Email Human Resources
Email Benefits Team
