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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: February 19, 2002 <br /> Action Agenda6 <br /> Item No. <br /> SUBJECT: Classification Plan Amendment— Foreign Language Interpreter <br /> DEPARTMENT: Health and Personnel PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Class Specification for Foreign Language Rosemary Summers, Health Director <br /> Interpreter Extension 2411 <br /> Elaine Holmes, Personnel Director <br /> Extension 2550 <br /> TELEPHONE NUMBERS: <br /> Hillsborough 732-8181 <br /> Chapel Hill 968-4501 <br /> Durham 688-7331 <br /> Mebane 336-227-2031 <br /> PURPOSE: To amend the Orange County Classification and Pay Plan to add the new class of <br /> Foreign Language Interpreter at Salary Grade 64. This grade has a hiring range of $26,546 - <br /> $32,265. <br /> BACKGROUND: With the June 2001 budget adoption, the Board of Commissioners approved <br /> a new permanent full-time Foreign Language Interpreter position in the Health Department <br /> effective January 1, 2002. As part of its action, the Board asked the County Manager to <br /> develop a countywide plan to address communications with citizens that are non-English <br /> speaking or have limited English proficiency. At the December 11, 2001 Board meeting, the <br /> Limited English Proficiency (LEP) policy and plan was presented, reviewed and approved by the <br /> Board. <br /> The approved LEP policy includes a "tool box" of suggested approaches to accommodate the <br /> needs of non-English or limited English speaking clients. For departments categorized in the <br /> policy as those who provide"critical services" such as the Health Department, one of the tool <br /> box options is to engage staff to provide interpretation and translation services. As planned, <br /> this position will be used to provide interpretation and translation services for the Health <br /> Department as well as to coordinate such services for the department. <br /> Specifically, the Foreign Language Interpreter will: <br /> • Provide oral interpretation in clinics, immunization, outreach, home visits and phone calls to <br /> clients with limited English proficiency and non-English speaking, including medical <br /> interpretation. <br />