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Animal Behavior Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

The Animal Hospital

Pet Groomer

Independence, IA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Sound understanding of animal behavior. * Must be able to work under conditions that require sitting, standing, walking, bending, reaching, pulling, pushing and grasping. * Physically able to handle ...

Wild Chicks Avian Group

Be Seen First

Avian Control Technician

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$70K - $85K/yr

This position requires some knowledge of animal behavior, the ability to identify and assess potential access points, and the ability to safely and efficiently remove wildlife from the premises. The ...

CareVet Health

Veterinarian

Burlington, IA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Knowledge of animal behavior * Ability to use medical technologies during diagnosis, research and surgery of animals How to Apply To learn more about positions available, please contact Kelly Weber ...

CareVet Health

Veterinarian

Burlington, IA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Knowledge of animal behavior * Ability to use medical technologies during diagnosis, research and surgery of animals How to Apply To learn more about positions available, please contact Kelly Weber ...

CareVet

Pet Groomer

Independence, IA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Sound understanding of animal behavior. * Must be able to work under conditions that require sitting, standing, walking, bending, reaching, pulling, pushing and grasping. * Physically able to handle ...

Animal Rescue League Of Iowa

Ranch Hand

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$14.75 - $19.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Enter and maintain accurate animal, medical, behavioral, training, and placement records. * Help onboard, train, guide, and support volunteers working at the ranch. * Provide volunteers with clear ...

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Animal Behavior information

What is animal behavior?

Animal behavior refers to the actions and reactions of animals in response to external or internal stimuli. It encompasses everything animals do, including movement, communication, feeding, mating, and social interactions. Scientists study animal behavior to understand how animals adapt to their environment, interact with each other, and survive. This field can involve both observing animals in their natural habitats and conducting experiments in controlled settings.

What are animal behavior jobs?

Animal behavior jobs focus on either domestic animals or wildlife behavior. If you work with domestic animals, you may have duties like training dogs or horses as companion animals or service animals. Your responsibilities can vary significantly, as running obedience classes is very different than training a seeing-eye dog. As an animal behaviorist, your duties and responsibilities are to study how animals behave in their natural habitat, observing how they eat, their hunting behavior, their mating patterns, and how they raise their offspring. In addition to your research, you may teach in a college or university or provide instruction to primary school students. Other animal behaviorist work in zoos or wildlife preserves.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an animal behaviorist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Animal Behaviorist, you need a strong background in animal science, psychology, or biology, often supported by a relevant degree and specialized training. Familiarity with behavioral assessment tools, data analysis software, and sometimes certification from organizations like the Animal Behavior Society is typical. Excellent observation, problem-solving, and communication skills help professionals interact effectively with both animals and their owners. These qualifications are crucial for accurately diagnosing behavioral issues and implementing effective intervention strategies that improve animal welfare.

What are some common challenges faced by animal behaviorists in their daily work?

Animal behaviorists often encounter challenges such as interpreting subtle behavioral cues, working with animals that may be stressed or fearful, and effectively communicating findings to pet owners or facility staff. They may also face unpredictable situations, especially when working with animals with a history of aggression or trauma. Building trust with both animals and humans, as well as adapting behavior modification plans to suit individual needs, are key aspects of the role that require patience and flexibility.

What is the difference between Animal Behavior vs Animal Care Specialist?

AspectAnimal BehaviorAnimal Care Specialist
Required CredentialsDegree in animal science, psychology, or related field; certifications in animal behaviorHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job training or certifications in animal care
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, universities, animal behavior consulting firmsZoos, shelters, pet stores, veterinary clinics
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, academia, animal behavior consultingAnimal shelters, pet care facilities, zoos
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Animal Behavior specialists focus on studying, analyzing, and understanding animal actions, often working in research or consulting roles. Animal Care Specialists provide hands-on care, feeding, and maintaining animals in shelters, zoos, or clinics. While both roles involve working with animals, Animal Behavior emphasizes understanding behavior patterns, whereas Animal Care focuses on daily animal well-being and management.

Do animal behaviorists make good money?

Animal behaviorists typically earn a median annual salary ranging from $40,000 to $70,000, depending on experience, education, and work setting. Advanced roles or those with specialized skills, such as certification or research experience, can lead to higher earnings, especially in private practice or consulting positions.

What jobs can you do with animal behavior?

Animal behavior specialists can work as zookeepers, wildlife rehabilitators, animal trainers, research scientists, or conservation biologists. These roles often require knowledge of ethology, fieldwork skills, and sometimes advanced degrees or certifications in animal science or biology.

What jobs study animal behavior?

Jobs that study animal behavior include ethologists, wildlife biologists, zoologists, and animal behaviorists. These roles often require a background in biology or psychology, fieldwork experience, and knowledge of research methods and animal handling. They can be found in research institutions, zoos, conservation organizations, and academic settings.

What qualifications do I need to be an animal behaviorist?

Animal behaviorists typically need at least a bachelor's degree in biology, psychology, zoology, or a related field, with many roles requiring a master's or doctoral degree. Relevant skills include understanding animal cognition and behavior, research experience, and often certification or training in animal handling or specific behavioral assessment methods.
More about Animal Behavior jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Animal Behavior jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Animal Behavior jobs in Iowa are:

What are popular job titles related to Animal Behavior jobs in Iowa?

For Animal Behavior jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Animal Behavior jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Animal Behavior jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Animal Behavior jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Animal Behavior job openings:

Animal Behavior jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Behavior job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution.

Animal Adoption Counselor

Animal Rescue League Of Iowa

Des Moines, IA • On-site

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago

Animal Rescue League of Iowa rating

3.3

Company rating: 3.3 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

768th of 773 rated non-profit organizations

Job description

Animal Adoption Counselor

Help pets meet their perfect match.

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is seeking compassionate, customer-focused individuals to join our team as an Animal Adoption Counselor. This role helps connect homeless pets with loving families while creating a welcoming and positive experience for adopters, visitors, volunteers, and community partners. This is a great opportunity for someone with customer service, retail, hospitality, and animal handling experience who enjoys helping people, working with animals, and being part of a mission-driven team.

Schedule

We are currently hiring for both full-time and part-time opportunities.

Part-time:

  • Up to 30 hours per week
  • Hours are typically scheduled between 10:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday or Sunday availability is required

Before You Apply: See the Role in Action

Watch Adoption Supervisor, Brian Madison, share what makes this position rewarding, what a typical day looks like, and the qualities that help team members succeed on the Adoption team.

Animal Adoption Counselor Career Spotlight Video

This short video offers an inside look at the team, the work, and the impact you will have helping pets find loving homes.

About the Animal Rescue League of Iowa

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is Iowa’s largest nonprofit animal welfare organization, helping animals and the people who love them through sheltering, adoption, veterinary care, animal services, community programs, and pet support resources. Across multiple locations and programs in the Des Moines metro, the ARL works every day to provide compassionate care, practical support, and trusted resources for animals and families in our community.

What You’ll Do
  • Welcome visitors and guide potential adopters through the adoption process.
  • Answer questions, review adoption applications, and help facilitate successful matches between people and pets.
  • Provide basic information about animal behavior, medical needs, and adoption expectations.
  • Assist with retail purchases, transactions, and cash drawer balancing.
  • Help maintain clean, organized, and welcoming adoption lobby and work areas.
  • Support off-site adoption events and community outreach opportunities.
  • Work closely with staff and volunteers while using low-stress, compassionate animal handling techniques.
What We’re Looking For
  • High school diploma or GED, required.
  • Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record required.
  • Previous customer service, retail, hospitality, animal handling, animal welfare, veterinary clinic, shelter, or community event experience preferred.
  • Strong communication, customer service, and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to stay professional and compassionate in a fast-paced environment.
  • Dependable, organized, adaptable, and comfortable working with people and animals.
  • Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office.
Benefits for Full-Time Employees

The ARL is proud to offer competitive, market-driven compensation and a mission-focused culture. In addition, a variety of benefits are available to full-time employees including:

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Employer-paid long-term disability and basic life insurance
  • Supplemental insurances, including short-term disability, supplemental life insurance, accident, and critical illness insurance
  • 401(k) retirement plan with an employer contribution
  • Veterinary benefits
  • Work-life balance through our expansive holiday and paid time off policies
Physical and Work Environment Requirements

This position works in an active animal shelter and adoption environment and may require standing, walking, bending, cleaning, safely handling animals, transporting animals, supporting events, and lifting up to 50 pounds. The role may involve exposure to moderate noise, animal waste, cleaning chemicals, zoonotic diseases, and the possibility of bites or scratches while following established safety procedures.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Why Join the ARL?

As an Animal Adoption Counselor, your work helps pets find loving homes while supporting adopters through an important and exciting decision. You will play a meaningful role in creating positive adoption experiences for people and animals.

If you are compassionate, customer-focused, and excited to help pets and people connect, we would love to have you join our team.

Employment in this position is at-will, meaning either the employee or the ARL may end the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, as permitted by law.

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state law. Applicants and employees are encouraged to discuss potential accommodations as needed.

What Animal Rescue League of Iowa employees say

Pay

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom