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The Idaho Chapter of The Wildlife Society is pleased to offer its Mentorship Program, developed in collaboration with the Membership and Student Affairs Committees. This program connects students and early-career professionals with experienced wildlife professionals. We are currently seeking mentors, and we encourage prospective mentees to review available mentor profiles and reach out to begin a mentorship.
What to Know
What to Know
Prospective mentees should review mentor profiles and contact a mentor of interest, copying idahochaptertws@gmail.com on the initial email so active mentorships can be tracked. All interactions are expected to be professional, respectful, and courteous. For questions or concerns, please contact Sandy Amdor (Mentorship Program Coordinator, sandy.amdor@idfg.idaho.gov) or the ICTWS Secretary at idahochaptertws@gmail.com.
Mentor participation is flexible—profiles may be added, updated, or removed at any time, and mentorships may be ended by either participant at any time. The ICTWS Executive Board and Mentorship Program Coordinator reserve the right to remove inactive mentors or participants who do not meet program standards. If a mentorship ends, participants are welcome to initiate a new connection through the program.
The goal of the Mentorship Program is to foster meaningful, mutually agreed-upon connections. Mentees are responsible for initiating contact, introducing themselves, and scheduling an initial meeting. An introductory conversation—virtual or in person—is recommended to establish expectations. All mentorships are voluntary and guided by the goals and needs of both participants.
Advise for Mentees
Advise for Mentees
Before contacting a potential mentor, research their work and background. In your initial email, briefly explain how your interests and career goals align with their experience or research (1–2 sentences is ideal).
Keep your message specific, concise, and professional while still showing enthusiasm.
Clearly outline your mentoring interests, goals, and availability so the mentor can understand what you are hoping to gain from the relationship.
Proofread your email carefully for grammar and clarity—reading it aloud or drafting it in a word processor can help catch errors.
Attach your resume or CV to introduce yourself, including relevant coursework, expected graduation date, and any work or research experience. Remember that everyone starts somewhere, and mentors understand that experience levels vary.
If possible, send your initial email from your school email address to help ensure it is not filtered into spam.
Sign Up to Be a Mentor
Sign Up to Be a Mentor
Do you want to help mentor the next generation of wildlife professionals? Sign up by completing a short survey describing your interests and availability. If you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns, please contact us at idahochaptertws@gmail.com.
Mentor Profiles
Mentor Profiles
Seth Harju
Position: Biometrician
Interests: Freelance consultant for statistical analysis of wildlife and ecology data
Availability: 2-4 visits (remote only)
Support: Resume review, academic course work/transcript review, academic course selection/suggestions, volunteer/field experience, general discussion
Mentor style: Careers outside of academia and agencies, particularly statistical consulting
Contact: seth@heronecological.com
Joshua Uriarte
Position: Terrestrial Program Manager & Policy Advisor
Interests: ESA wildlife policy and work with stakeholders
Availability: 2-4 visits (Remote, Field, and/or In-person {Boise})
Support: Resume review, Academic course selection/suggestions, Ride-along/job shadowing, Volunteer/field experience
Mentor style: Experiences working with other agencies, stakeholder, and policy
Contact: joshua.uriarte@osc.idaho.gov
Toby Boudreau
Position: Deer and Elk Coordinator
Interests: Sustainable harvest, predator prey relationships, aerial survey
Availability: Monthly visits/check-ins (In-person {Boise})
Support: Resume review, Academic course work/transcript review, Academic course selection/suggestions, Ride-along/job shadowing, Volunteer/field experience
Mentor style: 37 years of experience in 3 different agencies
Contact: toby.boudreau@idfg.idaho.gov
Toni Holthuijzen
Position: Retired; Part-time consulting
Interests: Bird research, riparian vegetation, & amphibians. Over 40 years of experience working on licensing, compliance, and mitigation.
Availability: 2-4 visits (Remote or In-person {Boise})
Support: Resume review, Academic course work/transcript review, Volunteer/field experience
Mentor style: Extensive field research in field ecology including licensing, mitigation, land management, and compliance
Contact: aholthuijzen@gmail.com
Sandy Amdor
Position: Senior Wildlife Technician
Interests: Nongame wildlife survey, inventory, management, and relocation from beavers to bats to bumble bees. Big game captures and camera projects. Background in canid research. 25 years experience with state, federal, and private agencies.
Availability: 2-4 visits, possible extension (Field and remote {Nampa})
Support: Resume review, Ride-along/job shadowing, Volunteer/field experience.
Mentor style: Discussion on working with different agencies, advice on employment, interview help, and field trips!
Contact: sandy.amdor@idfg.idaho.gov
Maria Pacioretty
Position: Habitat Biologist
Interests: Habitat restoration, habitat project planning, wildlife and vegetation surveys
Availability: 2-4 visits (Field and remote {Pocatello})
Support: Resume review, Ride-along/job shadowing, Volunteer/field experience
Mentor style: I’ve been the recipient of good mentorships to get into my career, so I strive to pay that forward! I already mentor ISU interns and seasonal technicians. I enjoy learning with each mentee and helping them succeed. I can help the mentee design projects to fulfill course requirements.
Contact: maria.pacioretty@idfg.idaho.gov
Sean Schroff
Position: Wildlife Biologist
Interests: Manage wildlife and their habitats
Availability: 2-4 visits (Field and remote {Salmon})
Support: Resume review, Academic course work/transcript review, Academic course selection/suggestions, Ride-along/job shadowing
Mentor style: Managing wildlife for a state agency
Contact: sean.schroff@idfg.idaho.gov
Laura Wolf
Position: Wildlife Biologist
Interests: Big game habitat improvement, population estimation, collaborate with USFS on large landscape scale projects, and monitoring big game populations
Availability: 2-4 visits (Field and remote {Coeur d’Alene})
Support: Resume review, Academic course work/transcript review, Academic course selection/suggestions, Ride-along/job shadowing
Mentor style: I can provide general guidance for building resumes and writing cover letters. I’m happy to answer questions about working for a state wildlife agency. I can take mentees in the field from time to time.
Contact: laura.wolf@idfg.idaho.gov
Michelle Kemner
Position: Wildlife Staff Ecologist
Interests: I administer programs related to nongame migratory birds and other nongame animals.
Availability: Monthly visits (Remote and In-person {Boise})
Support: Resume review, Academic course work/transcript review, Academic course selection/suggestions
Mentor style: Scientific writing, field skills, leadership, relationship building/collaboration
Contact: michelle.kemner@idfg.idaho.gov
Scott Bodle
Position: Wildlife Program Manager
Interests: Manage forest wildlife program, review ESA consultation, supervise projects, and determine the effects on wildlife species
Availability: 2-4 visits (Remote and In-person {Boise})
Support: Resume review, Volunteer/field experience, help with federal hiring (including special hiring events and direct hire authorities)
Mentor style: Straight talk about experience working with federal land management. Help with career questions related to federal positions, including how to successfully apply for federal positions. 20 years of experience, I have reviewed thousands of resumes for applicants seeking wildlife technician and biologist positions.
Contact: scott.bodle@usda.gov
Tracey Johnson
Position: Associate Professor & Director of Research
Interests: Habitat ecology research, teaching, research administration, graduate student training
Availability: Monthly visits (Field and Remote {Boise})
Support: Resume review, Academic course work/transcript review, Academic course selection/suggestions, Ride-along/job shadowing, Volunteer/field experience
Mentor style: Career-focused
Contact: traceyj@uidaho.edu
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