About LAD Foundation & Pioneer Forest

The LAD Foundation was established by Leo A. Drey in 1962 to preserve lands of natural and cultural significance and to undertake related charitable activities. Over time, its holdings expanded to nearly 4,000 acres across fourteen units. These include seven state-designated natural areas leased to the Missouri Department of Conservation; two areas and a trail system leased to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for management by Missouri State Parks; and nearly 1,000 acres of riparian land under scenic easement to the National Park Service as part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. In 2004, Leo and his wife Kay donated their Pioneer Forest—acquired primarily in the 1950s and now encompassing nearly 144,000 acres in six Missouri Ozarks counties—to the foundation. Today, this forest is managed as a conservation and recreation area and serves as a demonstration forest in the public interest.

The LAD Foundation is a Missouri private operating foundation dedicated to exemplary stewardship of Pioneer Forest and other natural and cultural areas. Its mission includes advancing scientific research, education, public recreation, and encouraging projects and policies that positively influence the Missouri Ozark region and beyond.

About LAD’s Fire and Stewardship Manager

This position is responsible for or leading field operations of the fire management program on LAD Foundation lands, with a primary focus on achieving ecological restoration outcomes through prescribed fire. This position plays a key role in implementing natural resource management strategies and contributes to broader conservation initiatives across Pioneer Forest and other LAD properties.

Working under the leadership of the Chief Ecologist, the Manager collaborates closely with the Land Stewardship Director, Chief Forester, Ecologist, and other staff and partners to deliver fire program outcomes. The Manager also supervises and trains a seasonal stewardship crew and maintains strong relationships with federal, state, and local partners and contractors.

In addition to operational leadership, the Fire and Stewardship Manager is expected to communicate fire program policies and goals internally and externally, contribute to demonstration and outreach efforts related to prescribed fire planning and outcomes, and support the Foundation’s mission through strategic coordination and public engagement.

Location: Salem, Missouri

Hours: 40 hours/week, salaried non-exempt

Salary: $60,804-$85,125/year; commensurate with education and experience

Benefits: Employer sponsored 401(k) with 5% employer contribution, paid vacation, sick leave and holidays, life insurance, health and dental insurance, employee development and training, job-necessary clothing and equipment allowance, and a duty vehicle.

Specific Duties:

Administration and Fire Program Management

• Oversee all aspects of the Foundation’s Fire Program, including fire planning, hiring, and coordination with agency partners.
• Coordinate with the Chief Ecologist to recruit, train, and field supervise seasonal stewardship staff to support prescribed fire activities and ecological restoration work.
• Develop, revise, and implement the Foundation’s Fire Management Manual, including leading annual training for staff and volunteers to qualify for prescribed fire operations.
• Communicate fire program policies and goals clearly across the organization and with external partners.
• Coordinate closely with the Chief Ecologist, Land Stewardship Director, and other staff and partners to deliver fire program outcomes on LAD and partner lands.
• Contribute to demonstration and outreach efforts related to prescribed fire plans and ecological outcomes.
• Develop partnerships with federal, state, and local agencies and organizations to expand the prescribed fire program, including staffing, training, funding, and managed acres.
• Provide opportunities for staff to participate in burn operations with partners.
• Support the writing and revision of the Pioneer Forest’s 5-year management plan, site-specific management plans for Ecological Management Areas, and annual stewardship plans.
• Write and revise prescribed burn plans, coordinating with Foundation staff and partners for review.
• Communicate routinely with the Chief Ecologist and Forestry staff to foster coordination between Ecology and Forestry programs.
• Work with forestry staff to understand single-tree selection forestry, logging, and inventory methods.
• Collaborate with the Chief Ecologist to develop annual budgetary needs for fire-effects monitoring, fire skills training, and ecological management.
• Identify grant funding opportunities and support proposal development.
• Assist in writing reports for administrative goals and Foundation Board meetings.

Stewardship and Recreation

• Support restoration of terrestrial natural communities (e.g., shortleaf pine-oak woodlands, glades, fens), including invasive species management, in coordination with the Chief Ecologist and Ecologist.
• Partner with agencies and organizations to provide exemplary stewardship of Foundation lands.
• Coordinate with the Recreation and Outreach Coordinator to develop and maintain recreational trails and activities across Foundation lands.
• Provide direct supervision and training to a seasonal stewardship crew of 2-5 people to meet stewardship and recreational goals.
• Collaborate with the Recreation and Outreach Manager and Chief Ecologist to coordinate work plans and schedules for two full-time Stewardship Technicians.

LAD Legacy Lands

• Foster strong working relationships with managing partners of LAD Legacy Lands.
• Assist with annual coordination, Natural Areas report review, and site visits.
• Identify management needs and coordinate seasonal crew work to address them (e.g., thinning, invasive species treatment).

Ecological Monitoring

• Ensure budgets support ongoing fire-effects monitoring.
• Continue measuring established monitoring plots and identify additional monitoring needs.
• Manage, organize and analyze data to track fire-effects and ecological outcomes over time.
• Participate in research and monitoring of habitats such as caves, streams, glades, and woodlands.
• Support the Natural Features Inventory and coordinate reporting with the Ecologist and Chief Ecologist.
• Conduct field inspections of Natural Areas and Ecological Management Areas and explore opportunities to expand or create new management areas.
• Seek volunteers and opportunities to support monitoring and research.

Professional Experience and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Ecology, Fisheries, Forestry, Wildlife Management, Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences, or related field.
• Five years of professional experience and qualifications in fire management, implementation, and leadership.
• Must qualify as a Burn Boss (NWCG or state certified).
• Five years of experience in the ecology field with particular emphasis on implementation of on-the-ground, natural community management and fire-effects monitoring, including control of invasive species.
• Two years of staff management, supervision, and mentoring experience.
• Familiarity with plants, animals, and Ozark natural communities or the motivation and ability to acquire this knowledge.
• Experience with data management and data analysis in MS Excel and/or other statistical programs.
• Experience using ArcGIS for conservation planning and monitoring is highly desirable.
• Ability to pass a work capacity test for wildland firefighters (aka Pack Test).

Special Note

Salaried and hourly employees are expected to use a mobile device-cellular phone for LAD business, as needed.

TO LEARN MORE

To learn more about the LAD Foundation visit www.ladfoundation.org.

To learn more about the position, you may contact LAD Chief Ecologist, Dr. Dana Morris, at Dana.Morris@ladfoundation.org.  

TO APPLY

If you are interested in the position, please submit a cover letter and resume as one document to Dana.Morris@ladfoundation.org. Include “LAD Fire and Stewardship Manager” in the subject line.  Applications must be received by September 29, 2026.

Disclaimer: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; an employee will also perform other reasonably related job responsibilities as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required.  The organization reserves the right to revise or change job `duties as the need arises.  This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.  Management reserves the right to change job descriptions, job duties, functions, and requirements.

EOE STATEMENT

LAD Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, creed, color, ancestry, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.