Learn to avoid sampling and modeling errors!
Understanding and improving sampling methods and the planning approach to sampling provides one of the best opportunities to improve sampling and analytical results. Every site is different, and the dynamic process of sample collection and analysis poses greater risk of error than laboratory results. Proper planning throughout the process can result in more accurate results and prevent wasted time and money.
The Environmental Sampling and Data Quality™ course is designed for those responsible for developing sampling plans, evaluating sampling results, assuring data quality, or performing field sampling. You will learn to select an appropriate sampling method, gain an understanding of the associated variables and common mistakes, and develop a scientifically and legally defensible sampling plan, including where applicable the use of statistics in the planning and assessment process.
The course is a combination of systematic training modules, practical exercises, and group discussions, to ensure you return to your organization with practical knowledge that can be applied immediately. Students are provided with handouts which can serve as a valuable desk reference.
Topics covered include:
- Sampling techniques overview
- Soil sampling
- Sediment sampling
- Surface water sampling
- Waste water sampling
- Groundwater sampling
- Air sampling
- Waste sampling
- Selecting a sampling methods
- Sampling plans
- Documenting the field effort
- Data verification and validation
- Basic environmental analytical chemistry
- Fundamental and descriptive statistics
- Hypothesis testing
- Geostatistics
- Modeling fundamentals
- Recordkeeping
- Handling a clean air inspection
- Liability and enforcement
Our Continuing Education Matrix provides a summary of current professional certification credits, maintenance points, and CEUs awarded to Institute courses.
Jim Ashworth is a registered Professional Geologist and a hydrogeologist with more than 30 years of experience providing expert technical review and support to federal and state environmental agencies. His work has included conducting and coordinating the geologic and hydrologic technical review of groundwater pump-and-treat corrective action activities, and he is an expert in Karst geologic formations. He has extensive experience providing training on the RCRA Corrective Action Program, environmental sampling and analysis techniques, permit writing and regulatory groundwater monitoring.
Mark McDaniel is a Certified Professional Analytical Chemist with more than a dozen years of experience, specializing in method development, data validation, instrument repair, QA/QC oversight, QAPP development, acquiring state and national laboratory certifications, and procurement of laboratory services under Federal guidelines. He has performed several treatability studies and managed multiple enforcement and removal actions under RCRA, TSCA, and SPCC guidelines. As a Primary Responder for EPA Region 8, he has worked on more than 25 emergency responses, as well as trained with federal, state, and local agencies.
Terry Zdon is TechLaw’s Vice President and Director of Quality Assurance (QA), with more than 20 years of experience providing QA, program management, project leadership and technical support to the US EPA and state and municipal environmental agencies. He has developed and reviewed sampling plans, QA Plans and related documents under a variety of circumstances, including RCRA, CERCLA and state voluntary cleanup programs. He has prepared and presented basic and advanced-level QA training courses to EPA personnel, and he has trained EPA personnel, state agencies and staff on a variety of technical sampling and QA topics.
Mac Mcrae is a registered Professional Geologist (Georgia) with more than 20 years of geological and environmental consulting experience, with specific expertise in the evaluation of Risk Based Corrective Action (RBCA) for petroleum hydrocarbon contamination and Natural Attenuation (NA) of chlorinated solvents in groundwater. He has overseen or participated in environmental reports and reviews under EPA’s ROC and REPA programs, and he has supervised fieldwork and prepared Corrective Action Plans (CAP) Part-A and Part-B reports, Initial Groundwater Assessment reports (IGWA), Standard Limited Assessment reports (SLA), and Rapid Assessment Plan reports (RAP) in Georgia and South Carolina.
Rob Young is a registered Professional Geologist and Vice President of TechLaw. He has more than 25 years of technical expertise and contract management experience on a wide range of remedial activities supporting EPA, state environmental agencies and private clients. He has provided oversight for EPA RCRA Corrective Action activities; directed and performed sampling at several CERCLA National Priorities List (NPL) sites; overseen Environmental Site Assessments at Brownfields sites; and developed RCRA Sampling and Training and Corrective Action courses for federal and state agencies.
Bryan Williams is a Senior Staff Consultant with TechLaw, who has more than 21 years of experience in the environmental field. He has performed program management, project leadership and technical support to the US EPA, state, and municipal environmental agencies. He has also prepared and reviewed Hazard Ranking System packages, developed and reviewed sampling plans, health and safety plans, and related documents under a variety of circumstances, including RCRA, CERCLA and state voluntary cleanup programs. He has prepared and presented basic and advanced-level QA training courses to Federal, State and local personnel, and he has trained EPA personnel, state agencies and staff on a variety of technical sampling and QA topics. He has managed multiple enforcement and removal actions under RCRA, TSCA, and SPCC guidelines. As a Primary Responder for EPA Region 8, he has worked on more than 11 emergency responses, as well as trained with federal, state, and local agencies.
