EnviroScience Scientists Receive Level 3 OEPA Trainer Status for QHEI, Fish, and Benthic Macroinvertebrates

Pictured, L-R: Rhonda Mendel, QA/QC Officer; Paul Anderson, Senior Scientist

EnviroScience, Inc. would like to congratulate two of its senior biologists for obtaining Trainer Level 3 Ohio EPA Qualified Data Collector (QDC) certifications.  EnviroScience’s QA/QC Officer Rhonda Mendel recently obtained Trainer status for Level 3 OEPA QDC Benthic Macroinvertebrate Sample Collection, Identification, and Data Evaluation. The criteria to obtain this certification are very rigorous.  Ms. Mendel is one of only four professionals in the State of Ohio to have this certification.  Similarly, Senior Scientist Paul Anderson is a Trainer for Level 3 Fish Community Biology (All Methods) and a Trainer for Level 3 Stream Habitat Assessment (QHEI Only).  Currently, Mr. Anderson is one of only six Level 3 Stream Habitat QHEI Trainers in the State of Ohio (based on OEPA’s list of QDCs, published in July 2016).

Ms. Mendel and Mr. Anderson have extensive experience providing training to groups in nonprofit, government, and private organizations, including training for Level 3 QHEI, fish, and benthic macroinvertebrate assessment.  Mr. Anderson has 16 years of experience in training and mentoring for habitat and biological assessment of aquatic systems.  Since 2015, he has been a lead trainer for field crews conducting USEPA’s National Coastal Conditions Assessment across coastal waters and the Great Lakes region.  While with Ohio  EPA,  Mr.  Anderson  and his  colleagues  developed  an  aquatic  life classification  system  and  evaluation protocols  for  Primary  Headwater  Habitat stream  ecosystems.  Ms. Mendel has nearly 30 years of experience in monitoring aquatic community responses. She has been a guest speaker for many workshops and presentations for USEPA and other organizations on the identification and taxonomy of benthic macroinvertebrates.