Melissa James
About Melissa James
Melissa James is a geographer with the U.S. Geological Survey's Commercial Partnerships Team, where she serves as the technical point of contact for geospatial industry companies. She has a diverse background in geography and international studies, with experience in various roles within USGS and other organizations.
Work at U.S. Geological Survey
Melissa James has been a Geographer on the Commercial Partnerships Team at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) since 2021. In this role, she serves as the technical point of contact for geospatial industry companies involved in Geospatial Product and Service Contracts (GPSC). Prior to her current position, she worked in various roles at USGS, including as a Geographer in the Elevation Section from 2017 to 2021 and as a Temporary Supervisory Geographer in the Hydrography Section for two months in 2021. She also completed a Career Intern position at USGS in 2017 and served as a Student Contractor Intern from 2016 to 2017.
Education and Expertise
Melissa James studied at Granville High School, achieving a 4.0 GPA and graduating in 2002. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in International Studies, Economics, and French from the University of Richmond from 2002 to 2006. She furthered her education by obtaining a Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science and Cartography from the University of Colorado Denver between 2015 and 2017. Her academic background supports her expertise in geospatial analysis and project management within the geospatial industry.
Professional Background
Melissa James has a diverse professional background with experience in various roles across different organizations. Before joining USGS, she worked as a Marketing Coordinator at the University of Richmond's Campus Recreation and Wellness for 11 months in 2005. She also held positions at Leprino Foods as an International Customer Account Specialist and at APL as an International Logistics Coordinator. Additionally, she worked as an Account Specialist at Schmitt Zur Hohe & Ferrante Intellectual Property Law in Beijing, China, and as a Financial Representative at Northwestern Mutual.
Project Management in Geospatial Programs
In her current role at the U.S. Geological Survey, Melissa James manages and tracks tribal notification letters for 3D Elevation Program projects that involve lands of federally recognized tribes. This responsibility highlights her role in facilitating communication and collaboration between geospatial initiatives and tribal entities, ensuring compliance and engagement in projects that affect tribal lands.