James joined the Cape York NRM team as Water Quality Project Coordinator based in Cooktown, where he has lived for the past two years. Before joining the team in October 2021, James worked part-time as a ranger with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services while he finished his PhD studies on goannas. 

While working as a ranger in Cape York, James gained knowledge of local NRM issues and on-ground experience working with Traditional Owner ranger groups to tackle the major environmental threats to this region.

James is involved in projects including gully erosion remediation in the Normanby basin and the training and accreditation of Traditional Owners in erosion mitigation machine operation, which is increasing employability and producing favourable socioeconomic and environmental outcomes.