Trustee

Are you passionate about the natural world and inspiring others to engage with it

Join us as a Trustee at the Field Studies Council and help shape the future of environmental education.

• You can be based anywhere in the UK
• Youll need to commit approx. 10 days a year
• Its a voluntary position but reasonable expenses are reimbursed

About Us

Field Studies Council is an environmental education charity. For over 80 years weve been inspiring people to understand and care for the natural world. Through our network of centres across the UK we provide fieldwork and outdoor learning experiences for all ages from school groups and university students to families and lifelong learners.

We are a leader in biodiversity training the publisher of bestselling wildlife ID guides and a champion for accessible outdoor education particularly for disadvantaged young people. Our mission is simple but vital: to create outstanding opportunities that inspire everyone to engage with and care for the environment.

Your Opportunity to Make a Difference

Were currently looking to appoint four new Trustees to bring fresh perspectives and help us grow in diversity representation and expertise. As a Trustee youll help guide and shape our charitys future.

While the daytoday running of our charity is handled by our staff and volunteers the Board of Trustees plays a key role in making sure everything stays on track.

That includes overseeing our work making bigpicture decisions and ensuring we meet our legal and regulatory responsibilities. Its an important role but you wont be doing it alone. You will:

• Provide strategic oversight and guidance to support our mission and values
• Use your insight and experience to influence decisions that impact tens of thousands of learners annually
• Act as an ambassador for environmental education and social inclusion
• Contribute to Board and committee meetings and participate in key annual activities including visiting one of our field centres each year to see our work in action
• Use your knowledge experience and enthusiasm to help us innovate grow and reach more people

Who Were Looking For

You dont need to be an academic ecologist or environmentalist to join us or have charity trustee company director or equivalent experience we welcome applicants from all walks of life. We are especially interested in candidates with skills in:

• Charity governance
• Finance (qualified professionals potential Honorary Treasurer role)
• Fundraising & stakeholder engagement
• Marketing & communications

Above all we want individuals who are:

• Passionate about equal access to outdoor learning
• Ready to speak up and bring a new perspective
• Willing to give their time and energy to support the Field Studies Council

Were committed to building a Trustee board that is inclusive representative and reflective of the diverse communities we serve.

We warmly encourage applications from individuals who are underrepresented in charity governance including people from Black Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds disabled people LGBTQIA communities young people and those with lived experience of social or economic disadvantage.

If youre excited by our mission and ready to help others experience the power of nature wed love to hear from you.

Whats Involved

• Approx. 10 days per year commitment for an initial 3year term (this includes board and committee meetings and a centre visit)
• Most meetings are held virtually with one inperson event annually
• All reasonable expenses are covered
• Appropriate training and support will be provided

Please download the Trustee Candidate Information Pack on our website to learn more and take the next step in helping us connect people with the natural world

For an informal and confidential discussion about the role please contact our Chair of the Board of Trustees Jeff Sissons

The closing date for your completed application is Friday 23rdMay 2025

Interviews will be held online and will take place after the closing date

We want to create a world whereeveryone feels connected to the environmentso they can enjoy the benefits it gives and make choices that help protect it.

As an Investors in People charity we realise that to achieveour visionwe need diverse teams of staff who have a wide range of skills a real passion for the work of the charity and pride in their role within it. No matter what role you perform at the FSC everyone can make a difference and every role is vital to delivering our mission and visionif this inspires you we would love to hear from you.