As GIS Coordinator & Geospatial Systems Architect for the Geology Minerals Energy and Geophysics Science Center, Amber supports geologists, geophysicists, geochemists, biologists, and other scientists that work on issues related to geologic processes and mineral and energy resource potential, across GMEG offices in the western United States.
Since joining the USGS in Menlo Park, Amber has lead an effort to architect and implement initial phases of a cloud-based Enterprise GIS - for use by geologic mappers within the FEDMAP arm of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program. Additionally, she focuses on building capacity within the local geologic mapping community by hosting webinars/training on the use of mobile and online GIS technologies and integrates geologic mappers by facilitating collaborative sites that foster cross-pollination on national geologic mapping projects.
Amber received an MS in Geographic Information Systems from the University of Redlands and a BS in Earth Science from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. In the years prior to joining the USGS, Amber worked for the US Forest Service, NASA, and the USDA Farm Service Agency where she performed duties of a GIS Coordinator, Database Manager, Geospatial Engineer and Program Technician. Her main passion for geospatial technologies stem from disaster response. During her time with the US Forest Service she also worked with the Region 5 Office and R5 Fire and Aviation GIS Lab and holds incident command fire qualifications for Air Resource Advisor (ARA), GIS Specialist (GISS) and Infrared Interpreter (IRIN). In addition to collaborating on/building geospatial workflows and solutions, Amber enjoys a strong cup of coffee, 3D visualization and web GIS topics.
Professional Experience
2018-present, GIS Coordinator & Geospatial Systems Architect, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA
2014-present, Geospatial Technologies Instructor (part-time adjunct), Foothill College, Los Altos Hills, CA
2015-2018, District GIS Coordinator & Database Manager, U.S. Forest Service - Lassen National Forest, Fall River Mills, CA
2014-2015, Geoinformatics Fellow, NASA DEVELOP, NASA Ames
2014 2014, GIS Specialist (part-time), Stanford University Geospatial Center, Stanford, CA
2013-2013, GIS Technician, Contractor for Apple Inc, Cupertino, CA
2010-2011, Program Technician, USDA Farm Service Agency, Templeton, C
Education and Certifications
M.S. Geographic Information Systems, Spatial and 3D Analysis, Univ. of Redlands (2012)
B.S. Earth Science, Climate Change Studies; minors: Geol and Geog, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (2010)
Affiliations and Memberships*
National Wildland Fire Coordinating Group
National Infrared Operations, USFS
Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program, USFS
Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA)
Science and Products
Enterprise GIS for the NCGMP Community
Science and Products
- Science
Enterprise GIS for the NCGMP Community
We are focused on modernizing digital infrastructure by implementing a web-services based, enterprise GIS architecture focused on enabling scientific collaboration across geographically dispersed FEDMAP scientists. This project supports geologic mapping goals set forth by the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 and the vision of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP). Prior to... - Publications
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government