Bio
Ms. Karen Minteer is a chemist with experience in all aspects of major environmental remediation projects. She has worked in most areas of a production environmental laboratory, including sample receiving, sample preparation, quality control, organic sample analysis (gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry), data review, report writing, and project management. She has had experience putting together sampling and analysis plans (SAPs) and quality assurance project plans (QAPPs), and performing data validation for organic, inorganic, and radiochemical analytical chemistry data. Ms. Minteer has also had experience as an environmental health specialist for a large public school district. She ensured compliance with federal and state laws and with regulations related to environmental health, including those for removal and disposal of hazardous materials, drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, subterranean dewatering, biosolids, radon testing, asbestos monitoring, industrial hygiene, and indoor air quality. She developed safety guidelines for science programs and trained educators on safe storage and use of chemicals. She managed hazardous waste operations and responded to emergencies and hazardous materials spills at all district facilities. Ms. Minteer has also had experience teaching a variety of math and science courses in public schools at all secondary grade levels.
Relevant Experience
Regulatory Compliance
Environmental Services Team, Colorado — Assisted in supervising and overseeing the Environmental Services Team for a large public school system. Ensured compliance with federal and state laws, and with regulations related to environmental health. Reviewed and updated wastewater and stormwater permits and drinking water sampling schedules, coordinating required sampling events and managing field and laboratory data to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations. Attended sanitary surveys and compliance inspections and responded to associated violations, findings, or recommendations. Assisted in supervising environmental technicians in the operation of three water and four wastewater treatment facilities and in performing inspections (asbestos surveillance, chemical safety, fire safety) at all district facilities (155 campuses). Coordinated and conducted hazardous waste management activities, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, chemical storage safety guidelines, documentation requirements, and generator status restrictions. Responded to hazardous materials spills at all district facilities. Developed safety guidelines for science programs, and trained teachers on safe storage and use of chemicals.
Data Quality Assurance
Assessment and Research Team, Colorado — Provided technical support and compliance assistance to the assessment and research team for a large public school system. Responsibilities included providing technical support for online testing, maintaining integrity of the associated data, developing and implementing communication plans to ensure successful testing, and performing audits at testing sites to monitor assessment administration and ensure compliance with state standardized testing regulations.
Data Analysis
Data Validation, New Mexico — Performed validation of organic, inorganic, and radiochemical analytical chemistry data. Produced reports that summarized the quality of analytical sample results, including explanations of any resulting qualification of data. Designed and delivered training for employees and clients. Assisted with preparation of SAPs and QAPPs.
Chemistry
Environmental Laboratories, Colorado and Nevada — Worked in most areas of a production environmental laboratory: sample receiving, sample preparation, quality control, standard operating procedure development, volatiles and semivolatiles analysis, data review, report writing, generation of electronic data deliverables, and client services/project management. Supervised bottle preparation and sample receiving technicians. Served as member of laboratory safety team, performing internal laboratory health and safety and compliance audits, and providing chemical hygiene training for employees.
Sampling
Environmental Services Team, Colorado — Assisted in supervising and overseeing the Environmental Services Team for a large public school system. Ensured compliance with federal and state laws, and with regulations related to environmental health. Reviewed and updated wastewater and stormwater permits and drinking water sampling schedules, coordinating required sampling events and managing field and laboratory data to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations. Attended sanitary surveys and compliance inspections and responded to associated violations, findings, or recommendations. Assisted in supervising environmental technicians in the operation of three water and four wastewater treatment facilities and in performing inspections (asbestos surveillance, chemical safety, fire safety) at all district facilities (155 campuses). Coordinated and conducted hazardous waste management activities, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, chemical storage safety guidelines, documentation requirements, and generator status restrictions. Responded to hazardous materials spills at all district facilities. Developed safety guidelines for science programs, and trained teachers on safe storage and use of chemicals.
Technical Writing
Environmental Services Team, Colorado — Assisted in supervising and overseeing the Environmental Services Team for a large public school system. Ensured compliance with federal and state laws, and with regulations related to environmental health. Reviewed and updated wastewater and stormwater permits and drinking water sampling schedules, coordinating required sampling events and managing field and laboratory data to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations. Attended sanitary surveys and compliance inspections and responded to associated violations, findings, or recommendations. Assisted in supervising environmental technicians in the operation of three water and four wastewater treatment facilities and in performing inspections (asbestos surveillance, chemical safety, fire safety) at all district facilities (155 campuses). Coordinated and conducted hazardous waste management activities, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, chemical storage safety guidelines, documentation requirements, and generator status restrictions. Responded to hazardous materials spills at all district facilities. Developed safety guidelines for science programs, and trained teachers on safe storage and use of chemicals.
Waste Management
Environmental Services Team, Colorado — Assisted in supervising and overseeing the Environmental Services Team for a large public school system. Ensured compliance with federal and state laws, and with regulations related to environmental health. Reviewed and updated wastewater and stormwater permits and drinking water sampling schedules, coordinating required sampling events and managing field and laboratory data to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations. Attended sanitary surveys and compliance inspections and responded to associated violations, findings, or recommendations. Assisted in supervising environmental technicians in the operation of three water and four wastewater treatment facilities and in performing inspections (asbestos surveillance, chemical safety, fire safety) at all district facilities (155 campuses). Coordinated and conducted hazardous waste management activities, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, chemical storage safety guidelines, documentation requirements, and generator status restrictions. Responded to hazardous materials spills at all district facilities. Developed safety guidelines for science programs, and trained teachers on safe storage and use of chemicals.
Education & Credentials
M.Ed., Instructional and Curricular Studies, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1998
B.S., Chemistry, Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York, 1987
Certified Hazardous Materials Manager, License No. 16544
Continuing Education
Colorado’s Hazardous Waste Regulations Training, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (2014)
Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response 40‑Hour Certification (2013)
Graduate Classes, Analytical Chemistry, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado (1989)
Achievements & Awards
Public Health Champion, Jefferson County Public Health Department, Jefferson County, Colorado – Ensuring Safe Science Classrooms & Laboratories for Children in Jeffco Schools (2015)
Certificate of Recognition and public acknowledgment at a final rulemaking hearing from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for Exemplary Contributions to the Improvement of the Colorado Code of Regulations, 6 CCR 1010-6, Rules and Regulations Governing Schools in Colorado (2015)
Jeffco Public Schools Values Award for Exemplary Performance (2014)
Jeffco Public Schools Values Award for Integrity (2012)