Joni Yzaguirre - Environmental Scientist

Professional Summary

Before Joni Yzaguirre joined EAS in October 2011, she worked closely with EAS staff on NOAA's Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) related to the MC252 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. As an environmental technician with Environmental Chemistry Consulting Services, Inc., her responsibilities included training new staff on the project team; following NRDA procedures for sample collection and handling, data quality assurance review/verification, and custody documentation; and uploading information to the NOAA NRDA database. Joni's skills also include excellent written and verbal communications. Joni played a major role in the development of procedures and guidelines used by field technicians to perform sample intakes for the Gulf project. Joni has exceptional interpersonal skills and works very well within multi-agency teams.

Areas of Specialization

  • NRDA and other QA/QC procedures
  • Field sampling and data collection
  • Teamwork and client relations
  • Writing and communications
  • Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook)
  • Training others in an informative manner
  • Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills

Relevant Work Experience

Environmental Chemistry Consulting Services, Inc. (ECCS)

Environmental Technician, August 2010 - October 2011 The overall mission of the ECCS team on this project, under contract with Dade Moeller, is to be the intermediary between NOAA's research vessel, shoreline, and marshland-based sampling teams, ultimately taking custody of all samples collected and associated data. Joni's role involved ensuring the data be complete, consistent, and error-free. Joni's responsibilities included:

  • Conducting field intakes of data and samples.
  • Performing field verification of sample labels to correct NRDA nomenclature on chain of custody (COC) documentation.
  • Following NRDA procedures in obtaining and securing samples and their associated data.
  • Verifying complete and accurate custody is maintained for all data and samples.
  • Uploading data from field personnel to the NOAA NRDA database.
  • Assisting with accessioning and shipping of samples received.

In her training role she was responsible for:

  • Assisting Technical Management with in-house training by reviewing presentations of all aspects of the MC252 Project.
  • Teaching trainees how to perform field intakes, verification of data and samples, maintain accurate possession of COCs, appropriate accessioning techniques and uploading procedures based on TWG specific requirements.
  • Educating trainees on specific Work Plans and assisting in all facets of data and sample intakes.

Crustacean Laboratory, ULL, Lafayette, Louisiana

Student worker/Lab Technician January 2009 - December 2009 Conducted student research on reproductive biology and behavior with a focus on various aspects of the juvenile migration and its implications for the conservation and restoration of the river shrimp Macrobrachium ohione in the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers. Joni's responsibilities included:

  • Collected specimens from the field.
  • Recorded measures on shrimp size, sex, and reproductive condition and enter into data compilation files.
  • Obtained measurements on female distribution and reproductive status from upriver and estuarine sampling sites.
  • Dissected juvenile shrimp for stable isotope analysis.
  • Assisted in making traps for specimen collection.

Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC), Houma, Louisiana

Emergency Department Technician, August 2007 - April 2009 Assisted in providing nursing care to patients ranging from minor to terminally ill by working cooperatively with other team members in maintaining standards of care in the clinical setting. Joni's responsibilities included:

  • Assisted the nurses in utilizing the nursing process by providing technical medical support to other emergency room personnel.
  • Provided medical services such as phlebotomy (drawing blood), preparing IVs and EKG monitors, conducted EKG tests, inserted catheters and nasogastric tubes, obtained lab specimens and monitored vital signs.
  • Assisted physicians during physical examinations and diagnostic services.
  • Fit patients for orthopedic splints and crutches.
  • Cleaned equipment, restocked supplies and trained other technical personnel.

Pathology Laboratory/ Phlebotomy Technician, May 2007 - April 2009 Collected and prepared blood samples for laboratory testing. Joni's responsibilities included:

  • Collected blood samples from patients throughout the entire hospital using skin puncture, venipuncture, and arterial collection techniques.
  • Received the samples into a computer database.
  • Prepared blood samples for laboratory testing.

Education/Training

  • B.S., Biology with Chemistry and Psychology Minor, University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL), Lafayette, LA, May 2010
  • 24-hr HAZWOPER
  • First Aid/CPR