Research & Surveys

Sierra Research Associates is again pleased to be conducting this year’s survey and hopes you will find this new survey tool easy to use. The following is further information which may help you in filling out the survey. If you have any questions regarding filling out the survey please don’t hesitate to contact us at survey2010@sierraresearchassociates.com.

VISA INFORMATION: This year’s survey includes the collection of resort employment on U.S. Visa Programs including H2B, J1, O1 and Q. Please be sure to take a moment and review the Resort Info Input sheet and enter these important categories of information. As in 2009, a comparison of resorts will be made available in the survey results.

NEW PREVAILING WAGE ASSISTANCE: This year’s survey is being expanded to include prevailing wage data for twelve job codes as identified by the NSAA Human Resources Committee. The detail of this data will better address the Department of Labor’s requirements for specific international workers on USA visa programs. In order to meet the Department of Labor guidelines the survey population will include both member and non-member resorts in surveying this twelve jobs.

REPORTING FIELDS: The survey input sheet includes the following reporting fields for each job: number of incumbents, average hourly wage rate, lowest paid incumbent rate, highest paid incumbent rate, and a score (match code) from one to five for the level your position matches the description presented.

MATCH CODES: The match criteria is used to show how closely your position matches a theoretical industry norm for a position based on the description provided. You should code a position at your own resort that you determine to be a close match as a “3”. A position of much less responsibility than the description as a “1” and a position of much greater responsibility as a “5”. You may use “2” and “4” respectively when a job is similar to the norm but not a match. Please only put whole numbers between 1 and 5 in the match code section.

CONFIDENTIALITY: As in past surveys, Sierra Research Associates will keep your data strictly confidential and use it for consolidated reporting only. Data will only be published when it can be consolidated with three or more reporting resorts for a given job and resort category.

GETTING STARTED: Please begin by completing your resort related information on the “Resort Info Input” sheet to the right of the “Instructions” tab on the first work sheet when you open the survey. This allows the data for your resort to be categorized and provides contact information in case we require clarification on the information provided. Please make sure you fill out all of the resort information.

NEXT: Once this is completed, begin entering job specific information on “Job Detail Input” sheet that you will find next on the excel workbook. If you find it helpful this spreadsheet can be printed and used for data collection before entering it electronically on the spreadsheet.

PAY RATES: This is a survey of actual paid hourly rates for the Ski Resort Industry. Please insure that all information is accurate and complete and is indicated in pay per hour for each relevant job code for your resort. This should reflect your current wage and salary rates. Please make sure you put an average, low and high rate in each relevant job code, even if there is just one incumbent for that job code.

DEADLINE: When completed please submit your data electronically by emailing your completed spreadsheet to survey2010@sierraresearchassociates.com. Please note that your completed file should be submitted as an Excel email attachment so it can be processed accurately. All data is required on or before April 5, 2010 so it can be compiled and analyzed for publication to the NSAA Membership this spring.

DISCOUNT FOR FULL REPORT ON RESULTS: All resorts participating in the survey will be able to receive a full report of the findings at cost (approximately $50, which is a $200 savings over the full price of $250). The report will be available in May 2010. Note: Non NSAA members who participate in the survey will be able to receive the results of prevailing wage data on the 12 different prevailing wage jobs only.

HELP: Should you have questions on completing the survey you can email Sierra Research Associates at survey2010@sierraresearchassociates.com and a member of our team will contact you normally within 24 hours.

Again, thank you for your participation in this year’s survey.

Dr. Harold Richins and Charles Riley
Sierra Research Associates
12047 Donner Pass Road A-3
Truckee, California 96161
Website: www.sierraresearchassociates.com
Email: survey2010@sierraresearchassociates.com
Phone: 530-426-9361