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Animal Behavior Jobs in Avon, IN (NOW HIRING)

Willing to learn animal behavior to ensure their safety. * Focuses on safe and gentle handling. Forceful, aversive, aggressive handling, vocalizing or treatment will not be tolerated. * Customer ...

Dog Trainer

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

$12 - $15/hr

Willing to learn animal behavior to ensure their safety. * Focuses on safe and gentle handling. Forceful, aversive, aggressive handling, vocalizing or treatment will not be tolerated. * Customer ...

Willing to learn animal behavior to ensure their safety. * Focuses on safe and gentle handling. Forceful, aversive, aggressive handling, vocalizing or treatment will not be tolerated. * Customer ...

Willing to learn animal behavior to ensure their safety. * Focuses on safe and gentle handling. Forceful, aversive, aggressive handling, vocalizing or treatment will not be tolerated. * Customer ...

Dog Trainer

Greenwood, IN · On-site

$16/hr

Willing to learn animal behavior to ensure their safety. * Focuses on safe and gentle handling. Forceful, aversive, aggressive handling, vocalizing or treatment will not be tolerated. * Customer ...

Willing to learn animal behavior to ensure their safety. * Focuses on safe and gentle handling. Forceful, aversive, aggressive handling, vocalizing or treatment will not be tolerated. * Customer ...

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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.

What job categories do people searching Animal Behavior jobs in Avon, IN look for?

The top searched job categories for Animal Behavior jobs in Avon, IN are:

What cities near Avon, IN are hiring for Animal Behavior jobs?

Cities near Avon, IN with the most Animal Behavior job openings:

Infographic showing various Animal Behavior job openings in Avon, IN as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, and 10% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Kennel Shift Leader - ACS

Indianapolis, IN

$55K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago


Job description

Overview Agency Summary The purpose and mission of Animal Care Services is advocating animal welfare, adoption, and rescue. The agency does this by protecting and promoting the health, safety, and welfare of pets and livestock in Marion County. The agency is able to do this by cultivating a productive, collaborative, and compliant work environment in order for our workforce to meet the needs of the constituents of Indianapolis and Marion County.

Job Summary This position is responsible for supervising and assisting with the work of the animal care technicians and adoption counselors. Incumbent is responsible for training new hires. Ensures the kennel operations are running according to the established standard operating procedures.

Incumbent in this position will support the kennel manager with direct and indirect administrative direction, planning, managing, and administering the programs and activities of the shelter, coordinating assigned activities with outside agencies, and the general public. Incumbent provides support to the kennel manager, animal care technicians, and other departments. The incumbent in this position must utilize independent judgment in different areas of the division.

The incumbent's other actions are dictated by established policies and procedures, civil and criminal laws, and the codes established by the city and county. The incumbent in this position will be on call 24-hours a day all year. Position reports to the Kennel Manager.

Equal Employment Opportunity The City of Indianapolis Marion County is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. We value diversity in perspectives and experiences among colleagues and the residents of this city of whom we serve.

Position Responsibilities Assists in the planning, organizing, and supervising the daily operations and services of ACS shelters for assigned shifts Supervises and monitors the work of animal care technicians, and other team members assigned to the shelter by providing training, investigating complaints, and evaluating performance Consults with the kennel manager on the division's services, scheduling, and operating procedures Coordinates team members' schedules and assignments on shift including scheduling in the event of a team members absence, health hazard, or other emergencies Identifies training needs for kennel team members and supervises or conducts training sessions on subjects regarding animal care, administering medications, administering vaccines, animal behavior, and disease control Troubleshoots issues within the division as they arise Performs inspections of team members assigned areas to ensure work conforms with standard operating procedures Reviews results of the inspections with team members as appropriate Performs daily rounds at ACS facilities to ensure health and welfare of animals, authorizing treatment of sick, injured, or terminal animals Provides information to the kennel manager relating to the temperament of the animals and their options for placement Euthanizes animals and when necessary, prepares a specimen for the State Board of Health for rabies testing Ensures the operations are maintained by reviewing requests for time off, new equipment, recommending supplies and reporting building issues Must maintain confidentiality at all times This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time Qualifications One (1) year of work-related experience. Ability to operate and care for animal control equipment. Must be able to recognize normal and abnormal animal behavior; manage potentially dangerous animals in a safe manner; respond to requests and inquiries from the general public.

Must have an ability to remain calm and effective during a crisis event in an emotionally charged environment. Must be compassionate in all areas of the animal welfare. Must have proven leadership skills with the ability to motivate and manage a diverse group of team members.

Must be comfortable being around and interacting with animals of all sizes and breeds. Must understand operational characteristics and services of animal programs including field and kennel operations, principles of animal behavior and care, identification of a variety of breeds of animals, methods and techniques of animal collection, impoundment, and registration. Must understand the basic principles of budget control.

Must adhere to state and local laws, codes, regulations, and occupational hazards. Must have great communications skills both orally and written and be able to adapt to different tones and messaging to meet the needs of different audiences in different settings. Must be able to work under extremely stressful conditions.

Must exhibit tact in collaborating with other professionals and team members. Must have knowledge of Microsoft Office. Preferred Job Requirements and Qualifications Associates Degree in a related field with one (1) year of work-related experience and one (1) year experience in a supervisory capacity.

Registered Veterinary Technician is a plus. Ability to operate and care for animal control equipment. Must be able to recognize normal and abnormal animal behavior; manage potentially dangerous animals in a safe manner; respond to requests and inquiries from the general public.

Must have an ability to remain calm and effective during a crisis event in an emotionally charged environment. Must be compassionate in all areas of the animal welfare. Proven management skills with the ability to motivate and manage a diverse group of team members and experience managing and working with union team members a plus.

Must be comfortable being around and interacting with animals of all sizes and breeds. Must understand operational characteristics and services of animal programs including field and kennel operations, principles of animal behavior and care, identification of a variety of breeds of animals, methods and techniques of animal collection, impoundment, and registration. Must understand the basic principles of budget preparation and control.

Must adhere to state and local laws, codes, regulations, and occupational hazards. Must have great communications skills both orally and written and be able to adapt to different tones and messaging to meet the needs of different audiences in different settings. Must be able to work under extremely stressful conditions.

Must exhibit tact in collaborating with other professionals and team members. Must have knowledge of Microsoft Office. If your qualifications meet the requirements of the posted position, your application will be referred to the hiring agency.

Once the agency receives your application, all further communication during the interview and selection process will be handled directly BY THE AGENCY. It is IMPERATIVE that you record the contact information of the individual who is scheduling your interview. City-County HR will not have access to this information, is not involved in the interview or selection process, and can only confirm whether an application has been referred.

After selection of the successful candidate, an official offer of employment will be made by HR. Working Conditions Essential functions are regularly performed at a shelter with exposure to adverse environmental conditions. Physical Conditions Sitting at a desk as well as standing and walking for long periods of time Some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials 50 pounds Tasks may involve extended periods of time at keyboard or workstation Tasks require the ability to perceive and hear sounds and see visual cues or signals Tasks require the ability to communicate orally.