2002 Bilingual / Multilingual Temporary Salary Supplement (TSS) Testing Policy | LEPSI

The employee must be in good standing (e.g., no performance plans or other performance-related documents of concerns on file within the last calendar year).

The employee must be in a primarily (more than 80% of work time) client-facing role that requires direct interaction with constituents who are LEP. The employee may also be in a role which assists with DHS business operation needs that may require speaking in a language other than English.

The employee must complete and submit the Bilingual/Multilingual Supplement Request form to the DHS Limited English Proficiency/Sensory Impairment (LEP/SI) Program Manager or his/her designee.

Upon request, the DHS LEP/SI Program Manager will provide a copy of the Bilingual/Multilingual Supplement Request form. Employees may also review and complete Attachment A of this policy.

Once the form is completed and approved by a DHS authorized representative, the form must be returned to the DHS LEP/SI Program Manager at LEPSI@dhs.ga.gov to be registered for the proficiency test.

An employee who is interested in testing to determine eligibility to receive a bilingual/multilingual supplement will have up to 30 calendar days from the date the testing link/schedule is provided by the DHS LEP/SI Program Manager to complete the proficiency test.

Once an employee achieves a passing score, it remains valid for five years. Once the five-year period expires and it is time to retest, the DHS LEP/SI Program Manager will contact the employee with the required steps.

The Department will only fund the employee’s first attempt at obtaining a passing score on the bilingual/multilingual proficiency test.

An employee must demonstrate competency to receive a supplement. Currently, a passing score of 10 or above will demonstrate competency with 12 being the highest score that may be obtained on the test. . Employees who do not exhibit proficiency in their chosen language(s) will be considered ineligible to receive the bilingual/multilingual TSS. While employees may opt to retest, the cost of the retest will be the responsibility of the employee. To arrange a retest, employees must submit a new request form and ensure that the "Retest" option is selected.

Employees who choose not to pay for or take the retest may take the proficiency test at the Department’s expense after a five-year period from the date their initial test expired.

An employee approved to receive a bilingual/multilingual supplement will be required to retest every five years from the date of their last successful test to measure continued proficiency. An employee who fails to demonstrate proficiency in their chosen language(s) will be deemed ineligible, and their supplement will end on the next available pay period on either the 1^st or 16^th day of the month. The employee’s HR liaison will need to submit a requisition to end the supplement.