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Animal Behaviour Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Animal Care Manager

New Germany, MN · On-site

$45K - $60K/yr

... dog behavior, health conditions, and body languagePositive, team-oriented, and customer service-driven attitudeEnergetic, enthusiastic, and trustworthy personalityLeadership and delegation ...

Animal Care Manager

New Germany, MN · On-site

$45K - $60K/yr

Now, we're hiring a full-time Animal Care Manager to help make every day great! You'll guide your ... Working knowledge of dog behavior, health conditions, and body language * Positive, team-oriented ...

Animal Care Manager

New Germany, MN · On-site

$45K - $60K/yr

Now, we're hiring a full-time Animal Care Manager to help make every day great! You'll guide your ... Working knowledge of dog behavior, health conditions, and body language * Positive, team-oriented ...

Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory and animal-care environment. * Monitor animals for changes in health or behavior and immediately communicate concerns to Veterinary Staff

Solid understanding of animal behavior and healthcare * Experience with proper animal restraint and handling * Excellent communication and organizational skills * Passion for working with animals and ...

Solid understanding of animal behavior and healthcare * Experience with proper animal restraint and handling * Excellent communication and organizational skills * Passion for working with animals and ...

Showing results 21-40

Animal Behaviour information

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How much do animal behaviour jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal behaviour in Minnesota is $20.62, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.97 and $24.47 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is animal behaviour?

Animal behaviour refers to the study of how animals interact with each other, their environments, and other living beings. This field examines patterns in movement, communication, feeding, mating, and social structures among animals. By understanding animal behaviour, scientists can gain insights into animal welfare, evolution, and how species adapt to changing environments. The knowledge is used in research, conservation, and improving the lives of both wild and domesticated animals.

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

To thrive as an Animal Behaviourist, you need a solid background in animal science, psychology, or zoology, often with a relevant degree and specialized training. Familiarity with behaviour assessment tools, data analysis software, and certifications such as those from the Animal Behavior Society are typically required. Strong observation skills, patience, and effective communication are vital soft skills for gaining animal trust and educating clients. These competencies ensure accurate behavioural analysis, successful intervention strategies, and positive outcomes for animals and their caretakers.

What are some typical challenges faced by professionals working in animal behaviour roles?

Professionals in animal behaviour roles often encounter challenges such as interpreting complex or subtle behavioural cues, working with animals that may be stressed or fearful, and designing effective enrichment or training programs. Additionally, collaboration with veterinarians, zookeepers, researchers, and animal owners is essential, requiring strong communication skills and adaptability. Staying updated on the latest research and ethical practices is also crucial for success in this evolving field.

What is the difference between Animal Behaviour vs Animal Care Worker?

AspectAnimal BehaviourAnimal Care Worker
Required CredentialsDegree or diploma in animal behaviour, psychology, or related fieldHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job training
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, universities, animal behaviour consultancy firmsAnimal shelters, kennels, pet stores, zoos
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, academia, animal behaviour specialistsAnimal welfare organizations, pet industry, zoos
Common Search & ComparisonFocuses on understanding animal actions and cognitionFocuses on caring for animals' daily needs

Animal Behaviour professionals analyze and interpret animal actions, often working in research or consultancy roles, requiring specialized education. In contrast, Animal Care Workers provide hands-on care, feeding, and shelter for animals, typically with less formal education. Both roles are vital in the animal industry but serve different purposes and work environments.

What jobs can you do with animal behaviour?

A career in animal behaviour includes roles such as animal behaviourist, zookeeper, wildlife rehabilitator, research scientist, and animal trainer. These jobs often require knowledge of ethology, observation skills, and sometimes specialized certifications or degrees in biology, zoology, or related fields.

What jobs can you get with an animal behaviour degree?

An animal behaviour degree can lead to careers such as animal trainer, zookeeper, wildlife rehabilitator, conservation officer, or research scientist. These roles often require knowledge of animal psychology, behavior observation skills, and sometimes certifications or fieldwork experience.

What qualifications do you need to be an animal behaviourist?

To become an animal behaviourist, a bachelor's degree in biology, psychology, zoology, or a related field is typically required, often followed by a master's or doctoral degree specializing in animal behaviour. Relevant skills include observation, data analysis, and understanding of animal psychology, with certifications or memberships in professional organizations enhancing credibility.

What job categories do people searching Animal Behaviour jobs in Minnesota look for?

The top searched job categories for Animal Behaviour jobs in Minnesota are:

Infographic showing various Animal Behaviour job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,881 per year, or $20.6 per hour.

Adoption Services Specialist - Full-Time

Animal Humane Society

Woodbury, MN • On-site

$16.75/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


Animal Humane Society rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 27 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

420th of 783 rated non-profit organizations


Job description

Do you have excellent customer service skills? Are you passionate about seeing animals find their forever homes? Come work as an Adoption Services Specialist for Animal Humane Society, where caring for animals isn’t just a job – it’s our passion. We are on a mission to compassionately and responsibly create a more humane world for animals and their people.

Description
The Adoption Services Specialist is responsible for providing a positive visitor experience by engaging with visitors, assisting visitors with animal visitations, providing animal information, and completing animal adoptions.
Benefits (see additional benefits below):
  • Paid Time Off
  • 4 floating holidays per full calendar year
  • 401k Retirement Plan with 4% company match
Schedule: Full-Time; 40 hours
Saturday or Sunday availability required

Location: Woodbury, MN

Job Duties
Adoption Services:
  • Greet visitors and promptly respond to animal inquiries and questions.
  • Assist visitors with animal visitations.
  • Act as an educational resource for basic breed, animal care, animal history, and behavior information.
  • Continually observe adoption area to ensure all individuals’ needs are met.
  • Thoroughly explain the adoption process.
  • Complete adoptions, ensuring all transaction paperwork and computer records are accurate.
  • Prepare adopters for success by selling merchandise and suggesting services that best suits their needs.
  • Accurately process animal adoptions, holds, and merchandise sales in accordance with established procedures and guidelines.
  • Responsibly handle cash and credit transactions and adhere to procedures with respect to all receivables.
  • Maintain merchandise area including displaying, cleaning, stocking, checking-in, and storing of product.
  • Carry out housekeeping and cleaning procedures, including in animal areas.
  • Escalate visitor concerns, animal needs or issues as appropriate.

Communication and Culture:
  • Communicate in a positive and professional manner with visitors, other employees, and volunteers.
  • Promote a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion to make AHS a welcoming environment for all.

Technology:
  • Review animal records in PetPoint.
  • Utilize multiline phone system and Language Line phone service.
  • Utilize tablets for processing adoptions, reviewing animal records, accessing Language Line, and completing inventory counts.
  • Manage and view work schedule in Makeshift.
  • Clock in and out of shifts using Paycor.
  • Monitor AHS email and other messaging software.
Other duties as assigned.

Additional Information
Schedule and Attendance:
  • Required to be on time to scheduled shifts during operational hours which may include evenings, weekends and holidays.
  • May be required to work at a different site based on department needs.
  • May be required to attend occasional off-site meetings and events.
  • Attend and participate in regular team meetings and one-on-one meetings with direct leader.

Work Environment:
  • Environment can be dirty, wet, warm and humid.
  • Exposure to zoonotic diseases and pests such as fleas and ticks.
  • Possibility of being bitten or scratched.
  • Exposure to unpleasant odors, chemicals and noises, including barking.
  • May be exposed to extreme weather conditions including but not limited to cold, heat, rain and snow when outside.

Requirements
What we're looking for:
Experience:
Customer service, sales, and animal handling experience preferred.

Skills:
Strong customer services and communication skills.
Strong attention to detail and multi-tasking skills.
Proficient with computers, specifically a working knowledge of Microsoft products.

Physical Demands:
Must be able to lift, carry, and handle animals and other items up to 50 lbs. unassisted. For animals and other items over 50 lbs., assistance from another team member is required.
Prolonged periods of standing and walking.

Emotional Demands:
Ability to be emotionally resilient while working in a shelter setting.
Must be comfortable handling a variety of animals with a wide range of behavioral and medical needs, including the use of humane euthanasia.
Must be comfortable with animal body fluids including urine, feces, and blood.

Transportation:
Reliable transportation required.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required for this role. Duties, responsibilities and requirements may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits
About AHS
Every year, Animal Humane Society provides direct care and services to help thousands of animals in need across Minnesota.
As one of the nation's leading animal welfare organizations, AHS is transforming the way shelters care for animals and engage their communities. From innovative medical and behavior programs to investments in outreach and advocacy, we’re advancing animal welfare and creating a more humane world for animals everywhere.
Why Work Here
  • Make a difference in the lives of animals and people
  • Join a team of coworkers who love animals as much as you do
  • Work-life balance
  • Unique animal adoption benefits and discounts on veterinary care, pet supplies, and animal training classes
  • Health insurance coverage for full-time staff includes the following: medical, dental, vision, health savings account, flexible spending account for health care expenses and dependent care, voluntary accident insurance, and employee ­paid supplemental life, accidental death amp; dismemberment and long-term disability insurance.
  • Employer paid benefits for full-time staff includes the following: basic life insurance, basic accidental death and dismemberment insurance, short-term disability
  • Support for student loans: we are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer
  • Mental Health and Counseling Support: all employees have access to our Employee Assistance Program with 3 free counseling sessions per year
  • 401k for part-time and full-time staff with company match
  • Nine paid holidays for full-time staff
  • Paid floating holidays for part-time and full-time staff (up to 4 days per year based on start date)
  • Paid Time Off for part-time and full-time staff (amount is based on hours worked and FTE status)
  • Paid parent leave for full-time staff

Our Organizational Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:
As an organization dedicated to making the world a more humane and compassionate place for animals, we know that people are at the heart of all that we do. Animal Humane Society’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity is essential to our mission and shapes our culture, our work, and the services we provide.
At AHS we embrace and honor the inherent dignity and diverse experiences of our team members, volunteers, board members, partners, clients, and visitors, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, or income. Working together to instill equity and inclusivity within our organization will allow us to better serve the people and animals of Minnesota and ultimately have a positive impact on animals in our care.

What Animal Humane Society employees say

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