CURRENT VACANCIES

Board & Trustee Roles – Help Shape the Future of Park Ecovillage Trust (PET)

Volunteer (unpaid) positions

Park Ecovillage Trust advances social and environmental sustainability, affordable housing, carbon reduction, and community wellbeing within the Ecovillage Findhorn and beyond.

About Trustee Roles

Trustee positions listed are governance roles (non-operational). Trustees provide strategic oversight, accountability, and stewardship of the Trust, rather than day-to-day delivery.

Trustees work collaboratively with any staff, volunteers, or delivery partners by:

Setting strategic direction
Ensuring appropriate systems, structures, and accountability are in place
Monitoring performance and impact

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Caring Community Circle Trustees Director & Deputy Director

Volunteer (unpaid) Board positions

Park Ecovillage Trust (PET) is a charitable trust established in 1999, dedicated to advancing regenerative living, community wellbeing, and ecological sustainability. Through responsible land stewardship, affordable housing, environmental initiatives, and community wellbeing programmes, PET works to support resilient, inclusive communities within Ecovillage Findhorn and beyond.

About These Trustee Roles

These are governance roles, not operational positions.

The Director and Deputy Director for the Caring Community Circle provide strategic oversight of PET’s community wellbeing work, helping ensure that the Caring Community Circle develops sustainably, remains aligned with PET’s charitable purpose, and continues to strengthen neighbour-to-neighbour care across generations.

Working alongside fellow trustees, staff, volunteers and partners, these roles help shape the long-term direction of PET’s wellbeing initiatives while ensuring good governance, accountability and strategic oversight.

Director – Caring Community Circle (Trustee)

Role Overview

The Director provides Board-level leadership for the Caring Community Circle, helping guide its strategic development and ensuring that community wellbeing remains a core part of PET’s mission.

Key Governance Responsibilities

Provide strategic oversight of the Caring Community Circle and its long-term development
Support strategic planning, budgeting and monitoring of outcomes
Help develop partnerships with charities, community organisations and care providers
Encourage the development of community care networks and volunteer engagement
Report to the Board on strategic progress, opportunities and risks
Act as an ambassador for PET’s community wellbeing work

Skills & Experience

Experience in one or more of the following would be valuable:
Health, wellbeing or social care
Community development
Third-sector or charity leadership
Governance or strategic planning
Partnership development and networking
Fundraising or grant development

We particularly welcome applicants who bring collaborative leadership, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to inclusive, community-led approaches. Experience with Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is desirable but not essential.

Deputy Director – Caring Community Circle (Trustee)

Role Overview

The Deputy Director supports the Director and Board by contributing to the strategic development and governance of the Caring Community Circle. The role offers an excellent opportunity for someone wishing to develop governance experience while helping strengthen community wellbeing initiatives.

Key Governance Responsibilities

Support strategic planning and Board reporting
Contribute to governance, budgeting and monitoring
Assist with partnership building and community engagement
Support succession planning and continuity of leadership
Deputise for the Director where appropriate
Contribute to Board discussions and strategic decision-making

Skills & Experience

We welcome applicants with experience or interest in:

Community wellbeing
Health or social care
Community development
Voluntary sector organisations
Governance or leadership
Partnership working
Enthusiasm, collaboration and a commitment to PET’s values are as important as previous trustee experience.

General Trustee Responsibilities

All PET trustees are expected to:

Uphold and advance PET’s mission of ecological sustainability, community wellbeing and social innovation
Participate actively in Board meetings and strategic decision-making
Exercise sound judgement, integrity and collective responsibility
Ensure compliance with charity governance and legal responsibilities
Maintain clear boundaries between governance and operational delivery
Respect diverse perspectives and contribute to an inclusive Board culture
Trustees serve on a voluntary, unpaid basis.
PVG membership (or willingness to obtain it if required) is desirable for these roles.

What You Will Gain

Joining PET provides an opportunity to contribute to a well-established charitable trust while developing experience in:

Charity governance
Strategic leadership
Community wellbeing
Regenerative development
Partnership building
Sustainability and social innovation

You will work alongside experienced trustees, community leaders and partner organisations committed to creating resilient and caring communities.

Induction & Support

PET is committed to ensuring all new trustees feel welcomed, informed and well supported.

Every new trustee receives a structured induction including:

Introduction to PET’s purpose, governance and current priorities
Access to key governance documents and strategic plans
Meetings with trustees, staff and relevant community representatives
Guidance on trustee responsibilities under Scottish charity law
Ongoing mentoring and peer support during the early stages of the role

We aim to create a Board culture where trustees feel empowered, supported and able to contribute confidently.

How to Apply

Please send:

A CV or short biography outlining relevant experience
A brief cover note explaining your interest

Email: [email protected]

or write to:

The Park Ecovillage Trust

254 Family House

The Park, Findhorn, Forres IV36 3TB

Moray – Scotland

📅 Applications close: 30 June 2026

Why Join PET?

You’ll help shape the future of a unique community-rooted charity working at the intersection of sustainability, affordable housing, regenerative living and community wellbeing. Your contribution will help strengthen practical models of neighbourly care and resilient community life for present and future generations.

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Chair of the Board (Trustee) Filled

Role Overview

The Chair provides strategic leadership to the Board, ensuring strong governance, effective decision-making, and alignment with PET’s mission. The Chair enables the Board to function effectively and acts as a key link between the Board and the Executive.

Key Responsibilities (Governance)

Chair Board meetings and guide strategic planning processes
Ensure effective governance, compliance, and adherence to policies
Support trustees, fostering a constructive and inclusive Board culture
Ensure clarity of roles between governance and operations
Act as an ambassador for PET with key stakeholders, partners, and funders
Maintain appropriate oversight of organisational performance and accountability

Skills & Experience

Experience in governance, leadership, or non-profit/social enterprise contexts
Strong facilitation, communication, and interpersonal skills
Ability to guide strategic thinking and balanced decision-making
Confidence in representing an organisation externally
Commitment to sustainability, community wellbeing, and social innovation

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General Trustee Responsibilities

All Trustees are expected to:

Uphold and advance PET’s mission: ecological sustainability, community wellbeing, and social innovation
Participate actively in Board meetings and strategic decision-making
Act in the best interests of the Trust with integrity and accountability
Ensure compliance with governance and legal responsibilities as charity trustees
Maintain clear boundaries between governance and operational involvement

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What You Will Gain from Working with PET

Joining PET offers meaningful experience within a community-rooted organisation in a period of active development.

1. Governance & Leadership Experience

Develop practical experience in:

Strategic leadership
Governance and decision-making
Financial oversight
Organisational development

2. Sustainability & Climate Action

Contribute to work across:

Regenerative community models
Carbon reduction and net-zero planning
Social wellbeing and resilience
Eco-affordable ecological housing

3. Innovation & Social Enterprise

Gain exposure to:

Early-stage organisational design
Lean governance approaches
Community-led initiatives and potential social enterprises

4. Network Development

Connect with:

Community leaders and social innovators

Sustainability practitioners

Partner organisations and funders

Ecovillage and regenerative networks

5. Transferable Skills

Build skills in:

Strategic thinking

Facilitation and communication

Governance and leadership

Collaboration and negotiation

6. Professional Profile

Strengthen your experience with:

Values-driven leadership

Sustainability and community development

Board-level governance

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Induction

The Park Ecovillage Trust is committed to ensuring that all new trustees, and in particular any incoming Chair, are welcomed into their role with clarity, encouragement, and meaningful practical support.

We recognise that becoming a trustee carries both responsibility and opportunity. New trustees bring fresh perspectives, skills, experience, and energy to the ongoing stewardship of the Trust and its relationship with Ecovillage Findhorn and the wider Community at the Park. To support this transition well, the Trust will provide a structured and supportive induction process for all incoming trustees.

This induction will include:

A comprehensive introduction to the purpose, values, governance structure, and current activities of the Trust.
Access to key documents, including governing documents, policies, recent board minutes, financial information, and strategic priorities.
Meetings with existing trustees, staff, advisors, and relevant community representatives where appropriate.
Guidance on trustee responsibilities under Scottish charity and company law, including fiduciary duties and collective decision-making.
Opportunities to ask questions openly and gain familiarity with the culture, history, and current context of the organisation.
Ongoing mentoring and peer support during the first period of service.

Particular care will be taken to support any incoming Chair. The Chair role carries additional responsibilities in helping facilitate effective governance, constructive communication, and healthy board culture. The outgoing Chair, existing trustees, and any appropriate advisors will work collaboratively to ensure a smooth and well-supported handover process. This may include transitional meetings, shared facilitation periods where appropriate, and continued availability for consultation during the early stages of the role.

The Trust wishes to foster a culture in which trustees feel empowered, informed, and supported rather than left to carry responsibilities alone. Governance is understood as a shared and evolving practice of stewardship, collaboration, and service to the wider community.

The Park Ecovillage Trust therefore commits to creating conditions in which new trustees and Chairs can step into their roles with confidence, transparency, and the full support of the board and wider organisational network.

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How to Apply

Please send:

A CV or short bio outlining relevant experience

A brief cover note explaining your interest

📧 [email protected]

📅 Applications close: 20 June 2026

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Why Join PET?

You will contribute to strengthening a unique intentional community rooted in sustainability, care, and collaboration. PET supports initiatives including affordable housing, carbon reduction, and community wellbeing—offering a practical model for regenerative living.