CREC: New Employees | Careers | Hartford, Connecticut

New Employees Information Page

Welcome! We are excited that you have decided to join the Capitol Region Education Council!

Your first few months at CREC are a time when you will be getting to know your job or school/division, your benefits, and the organization.

Below you will find information on what to expect throughout the new hire onboarding process and what is required of you before starting your new role. It is important that new hire paperwork is completed in a timely manner. Your official start date, which determines benefits eligibility (if applicable), will be contingent upon completion of these items.

Soon after starting, you will be given access to CREC’s internal employee portal (CORI) where you can view more detailed information and resources surrounding your employment, such as benefit plans and employment policies and procedures.

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Background checks

All new employees (both permanent and temporary) must complete pre-employment background checks before starting employment at CREC. Your hiring coordinator will send you the documents and information you need to complete these checks in accordance with your hiring timeline:

Fingerprinting for State and National Criminal Record Checks
Accutrace Order (Educational Employer Verification Check)
Department of Children and Families (DCF) Authorization For Release of Information Form
Satisfactory Reference Checks

Tax/Payroll Forms

You must complete the below forms prior to starting employment. Your hiring coordinator will send you these forms electronically through our Applicant Tracking System in accordance with your hiring timeline.

Employee’s Withholding Certificates
- State CT W-4 or Form M-4 (Massachusetts Residents Only)
- Federal W-4
- IRS Tax Withholding Estimator
CREC Direct Deposit
- If you wish to set up direct deposit (required for Paraeducators and Child Care Workers) you will need a voided check or letter from your financial institution verifying your account information to accompany our direct deposit form.
Federal I-9 Form
- Employment eligibility verification (I-9 form): Under federal law, you must complete this form in order to verify your identity and eligibility to work in the United States. You will need to fill out and sign the I-9 form, and upload accompanying acceptable documentation that is clear and legible. You must also present this documentation in person within 3 (three) days of starting employment.

Documentation of Job Requirements

If the position you accepted requires a degree, license, certification, or assessment, you must upload documentation showing you meet any job related requirements to your Applicant Tracking profile.

Connect With Your New Supervisor

Your supervisor will reach out via phone or email (or both) to talk about the first day and answer any other questions you have. If you don't hear from them, please contact them soon after you accept your conditional offer of employment. If you are unaware of who your supervisor is at this point, please reach out to your hiring coordinator for assistance.

We have provided talking points you can use while speaking to your new supervisor. What you really need to know is:

What time do I need to report?
Where do I park?
What address do I go to?
Who do I ask for when I arrive?
What is the dress code for my school or program?
What do I need to bring with me?
And any other questions you may have

Note: Your supervisor may have a preliminary schedule for your first day, but it may not be finalized yet.

Benefits

Eligibility* for benefits is determined by position, full- or part-time status, and the type of work year you have been hired for. Project consultants, temporary, and substitute employees are ineligible for benefits except pursuant to applicable law.

Please note: you will not be enrolled in any Benefit plans without first attending new employee orientation. You will be invited to attend new employee orientation, when your hiring paperwork has been received and processed in Human Resources. All benefit offerings are subject to eligibility requirements.

CREC offers competitive benefits. Benefits offered include:

Group Health Insurance Plans: medical & prescription, dental, and vision (see full 2025 plan and rates below)
Group Health Insurance Plans for Paraeducators/Child Care Workers: medical & prescription and dental (see full 2025 plan and rates below)
Basic & Supplemental Life Insurance
Long Term Disability
Short Term Disability, Accident, Cancer, and Hospital Plans
403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with Employer Matching Contribution
- Employees with two (2) years of continuous service will receive CREC matching contributions according to Bargaining and Non-Bargaining Agreements.
- CREC employees with less than two (2) years of employment, teachers, and certified administrators, or employees who work less than 20 hours per week, are not eligible for a match, but can still benefit from participating in the 403(b) plan.
Flexible Spending Account Pre-Tax Savings for Health Care, Dependent Care, and Limited Purpose Post Deductible (if contributing to an HSA)
Sick Time
Personal Days
Religious Holidays
School Vacations (academic employees)
Employee Assistance Program
Bereavement time
Credit Union
Tuition Reimbursement Program
Other Voluntary Benefits:
- Employer Discount Auto and Home Insurance - including automatic payroll deduction
- Pay any day financial service - access your pay between pay periods
- Diabetes program - employer paid program offered to employees and covered dependents who have diabetes and medical coverage through CREC's health plan. Services include a connected meter, unlimited strips, and coaching any time, anywhere.

2025 Health Plans and Rates by Position Category

* This is a brief overview of CREC’s benefits. In case of conflict between this overview and plan documents or contracts, provisions of the plan documents, policies and/or contracts will govern. Nothing contained herein constitutes an employment agreement or enrollment. If you have questions about our benefits, please contact your direct supervisor.

New Employee Orientation

All new permanent, benefits eligible employees are required to attend New Employee Orientation. Orientation provides important benefits information, enrollment instructions, an overview of CREC the organization, and information on our policies and procedures.

New employees will be invited to orientation after their completed hiring paperwork has been successfully submitted to Human Resources by the hiring school/division.

New Hire Letter

After your hiring paperwork has been submitted by your school/program, and approved and processed by Human Resources and Payroll, you will receive an official new hire welcome letter confirming the details of your employment.

If the position you were offered is a bargaining unit job, you will receive information on union membership and the applicable enrollment form.

Explore Other Resources

There is a lot of information you can explore. You do not need to review all resources before you start. It’s there if you have questions now, and well after you begin your career at CREC.

CREC’s greatest resource is its workforce. You and the other employees who work for CREC are the measure of what this organization can do. Whether in administration or teaching, support, professional, or clinical services – your abilities, energies, and commitment largely determine what this organization will accomplish.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the Department of Human Resources via email at careers@crec.org.