Leticia E.

Valadez
3919 Killarney Dr. * San Antonio, Texas 78225 * (210) 577-8624 * lv4101e2@westpo
st.net
10 point Viet Nam Era Veteran Preference Eligible
Quality Assurance * Scientific Research * Laboratory Operations * Environmental
Assessment
Innovative problem solver seeking position requiring excellent communication, te
chnical, and administrative skills. Proven track record contributing to quality
assurance topics including training individuals to prepare Quality Assurance Pr
oject Plans, evaluate process methods, validation of data, and analytical instru
mentation. Skills include authoring standard operating procedures and safety ma
nuals, orchestrating government contracts, and participating in public forums.
Lab Management * Process Development * Scientific Contracts * Procedural Documen
tation Environmental Policy Definition * Quality Assurance (QA/QC) * Project Man
agement
Hazardous Materials & Waste Management * Author SOPs * Team Leadership
Data Validation * EPA Standards Operations * Contract Management
Staff Training *Analytical Instrumentation * Total Quality Management
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
CA EPA REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD, Sacramento, California * 2005-Prese
nt
State pollution control and enforcement/compliance agency staffing approximately
200 personnel.
Staff Chemist / QA Officer / Laboratory Director
Direct environmental operations, safety, and training. Author standard operating
procedures, especially those governing environmental field practices, occupatio
nal safety, hazardous waste, and instrument use. Maintain quality assurance sta
ndards by authoring and reviewing Quality Assurance Project Plans, which are int
egral to regulatory monitoring and special environmental grant-funded projects.
Analyze and author new standard operating procedures as needed. Manage safety au
diting and compliance, including authoring a Lab Safety Manual with California O
SHA mandated chemical safety training requirements. Answer analytical questions
on method selection, data validation, and field sampling for engineers, geologis
ts, and environmental scientists. Support agency environmental enforcement progr
ams. Discuss policy and proposed criteria in public forums. Orchestrate all aspe
cts of laboratory services contracts.
Reducing laboratory service expenses and ensured regulatory compliance with stat
e regulatory requirements by validating methodology and managing budget.
Initiating industry-wide compliance with waste discharge permit requirements via
developed new process, which is publicly promoted to stakeholders, state offici
als and other key parties.
Eliminating a backlog of more than 20 environmental quality assurance project pl
ans and brought work assignments current by coaching grant managers in pre-revie
wing project plans for more efficient processes.
Improving relationships between lab contract vendors and staff, which increased
efficiency during field investigations.
Driving widespread adoption of self-supply practices by authoring standard opera
ting procedures and distributing them via the office intranet.
Participating with Agency technical issue committees and state quality control r
ound tables
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS, Davis, California * 1990-2005
Leading higher education institution with 2,000 faculty serving 50,000 undergrad
uate and graduate students.
Laboratory Manager / Staff Research Associate II, Animal Science Department (200
1-2005)
Supervised the beef genetics and waste water / air quality research laboratories
. Conducted DNA / RNA analyses. Managed special studies into key subject matter,
including TO-15 vapor analysis and EPA 8260B analysis by GCMS. Evaluated method
s and equipment before procuring new equipment for launch of the departmental Ai
r Quality Research facility. Defined and authored standard operating procedures.
Served on the Safety Investigative Team, focused on auditing laboratories for s
afety regulatory requirements. Directed and trained graduate students and labora
tory staff in instrument operation (GC, IC, AA, FIA, and wet/gravimetric techniq
ues).
Expanded laboratory operations by setting up the department's Air Quality Resear
ch facility.
Improved assimilation of multicultural students by providing training and educat
ing students on US applied safety and analytical techniques.
Maintained a safe environment by serving on the department safety investigative
team.
Staff Research Associate II, Land Air & Water Resources (1999-2001)
Coordinated laboratory operations, equipment, analytical instrumentation, and st
aff. Conducted chemical inventories and maintained MSDS data sheets. Evaluated a
nd prepared samples. Delivered quantitative chemical analyses of plant matter an
d soils. Performed and updated laboratory experiments. Administered the budget f
or the dissolved carbon analyzer. Provided safety training on proper laboratory
practices and instrumentation usage. Oversaw safe disposal of hazardous waste.
Recovered broken equipment and utilized it to improve productivity and functiona
lity.
Provided ongoing training on analytical instrumentation and its use.
Fostered knowledge sharing and internal communications across all areas of resea
rch.
Staff Research Associate II, DANR Laboratory (1994-1999)
Performed quantitative inorganic analysis of environmental / biological samples.
. Instructed analysts in use of atomic absorption (AA) and inductively coupled p
lasma spectroscopy (ICP-AES) for metals analyses. Trained personnel in use of ot
her lab instrumentation. Reviewed procedures and individual skills for sample pr
eparation, instrument techniques, and independent equipment operation. Establish
ed use guidelines that aligned with campus standards. Managed service, maintenan
ce, and use records. Conducted acid digestion / dissolution of environmental / b
iological samples. Maintained safety standards.
Facilitated procurement for a new instrument by researching purchase options.
Trained and mentored university researchers on metals research using ICP-AES.
Balanced difficult scheduling overlaps to ensure all personnel had the time and
equipment needed to complete critical tasks.
Staff Research Associate I / Laboratory Assistant II, Animal Health & Food Safet
y (1990-1993)
Utilized multiple methodologies to determine organic compounds, pesticides, and
industrial and naturally occurring toxins in multiple biological specimens by HP
LC, IC, GPC, and TLC. Prepared, analyzed, and organized samples. Drafted reports
on sample results and work performed. Integral role in staff scheduling and stu
dent supervision. Followed changes in industry literature to remain current on a
nalytical procedures. Improved personal knowledge of procedures via training cou
rses and demonstrations. Recommended new technologies to senior management. Ensu
red safe handling and disposal of hazardous materials.
Boosted efficiencies by recommending modifications to existing analytical proced
ures.
Exclusively chosen for a special research study, which led to professional publi
cation.
FORMAL EDUCATION
EMBA - Master's Coursework- California State University EMBA Program
Managerial Accounting for Executives * Leadership and Change Management * Strate
gic Marketing Management
Bachelors, Chemistry University of California at Davis
Associate, Physical Science Los Rios Community College

TRAINING COURSES
Total Quality Management (ISO 9001/17025)
Project Management Overview
Fundamental Transport Chemistry in Ground Water
Enforcement and Lab Fraud
24hr-HAZWOPER
Technical Writing
State Contract Management
Special Interests/Hobbies: Charity work, Gardening, Golf, Hiking, Tenn