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Animal Encounters Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lion Country Safari

Wildlife Support

Loxahatchee, FL · On-site

$15 - $19.75/hr

Operate animal encounters in a safe manner and in accordance with company policies * Learn, comprehend, and communicate educational and conservation messages to general public. * Operate registers in ...

Lion Country Safari

Wildlife Support

Loxahatchee, FL · On-site

$15 - $19.75/hr

Operate animal encounters in a safe manner and in accordance with company policies * Learn, comprehend, and communicate educational and conservation messages to general public. * Operate registers in ...

Lion Country Safari, Inc.- FL

Wildlife Support

Loxahatchee, FL · On-site

$15 - $19.75/hr

Operate animal encounters in a safe manner and in accordance with company policies * Learn, comprehend, and communicate educational and conservation messages to general public. * Operate registers in ...

Dallas Zoo

General Application - Animal Care

Dallas, TX · On-site

$15.50 - $21/hr

Summary Are you passionate about animal care, welfare, and conservation? Submit your application ... The Wild Encounters team focuses on up-close encounters through structured presentations at our ...

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Animal Encounters information

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How much do animal encounters jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal encounters in the United States is $21.05, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $25.00 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an animal encounter?

Animal Encounters are interactive experiences that allow people to get up close with animals, often in a controlled environment like a zoo, aquarium, sanctuary, or wildlife park. These encounters may include feeding, touching, or learning about different species under the supervision of trained staff. The goal is to educate visitors, promote conservation, and foster a deeper appreciation for animals and their habitats. These programs typically prioritize animal welfare and safety for both the animals and participants.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in an animal encounters role?

To excel in an Animal Encounters position, you typically need a background in animal science, biology, or a related field, along with experience handling and caring for various species. Familiarity with animal care protocols, safety equipment, and potentially certification in first aid or animal handling is essential. Strong communication, public speaking, and interpersonal skills help you engage and educate diverse audiences while ensuring safety. These skills are crucial for both the well-being of the animals and for providing safe, informative, and engaging experiences to visitors.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in animal encounters roles at zoos or wildlife centers?

Professionals in Animal Encounters roles often face the challenge of balancing animal welfare with providing engaging guest experiences. They must ensure that interactions are safe for both animals and visitors, requiring close teamwork with animal care staff and strict adherence to safety protocols. Additionally, adapting educational messages to diverse audiences and managing unpredictable animal behavior are typical aspects of the job. Collaboration with veterinarians, educators, and operations teams is essential to create positive, educational, and safe encounters.

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

AspectAnimal EncountersAnimal Care Specialist
Required CredentialsBasic animal handling, customer service skillsVeterinary or animal science certifications, animal handling experience
Work EnvironmentZoos, aquariums, wildlife parks, educational eventsAnimal shelters, veterinary clinics, research facilities
Employer & Industry UsageEntertainment, education, tourismAnimal welfare, healthcare, research
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles involving direct animal interaction with visitorsUnderstanding roles focused on animal health and care

Animal Encounters typically involve engaging with visitors through interactive animal experiences, often in entertainment or educational settings. Animal Care Specialists focus on the health, well-being, and medical needs of animals in shelters, clinics, or research. While both roles require animal handling skills, Animal Encounters emphasize customer interaction, whereas Animal Care Specialists prioritize animal health and welfare.

More about Animal Encounters jobs

What cities are hiring for Animal Encounters jobs?

Cities with the most Animal Encounters job openings:

What states have the most Animal Encounters jobs?

States with the most job openings for Animal Encounters jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Animal Encounters jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Animal Encounters jobs are:

Animal Encounters jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Encounters job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,783 per year, or $21 per hour.

Animal Care Special Events Keeper

Nashville Zoo

Nashville, TN • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

Position Title: Animal Care Special Events Keeper
Department: Mammal
Supervisor: Animal Care Events Supervisor
Nashville Zoo Mission:
Nashville Zoo is dedicated to inspiring a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation, and leadership. With a diverse collection of animals and a commitment to wildlife preservation, we provide engaging experiences for visitors of all ages.
Why Work with Us:
At Nashville Zoo, we believe in taking care of our team just as well as we care for our animals. Full-time employees enjoy a robust benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and future:
  • Comprehensive healthcare coverage - including medical, dental, and vision plans to keep you and your family healthy.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - confidential support services for mental, emotional, and financial well-being.
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company matching - helping you build a secure future while you make a meaningful impact today.
  • Generous paid time off and sick leave - because rest and recovery are vital.
  • Exclusive zoo perks - enjoy discounts on park experiences, retail, and food services, plus complimentary membership benefits.
  • A collaborative and inclusive culture - be part of a diverse team where your voice matters, your growth is nurtured, and collaboration thrives across all departments.
  • AZA-accredited facility - Nashville Zoo is committed to top-tier animal care, ethics and global conservation efforts.

Job Description:
The Nashville Zoo is seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our Animal Care Events Team (ACE). This keeper role is ideal for someone who brings a strong foundation of animal care experience, creativity, and a passion for connecting guests with wildlife.
As part of a dedicated team of animal care professionals, the ACE team member will help care for a variety of animals featured during evening events and special programs, while also providing valuable support to other animal care teams across the Zoo. This position plays a key role in enhancing the guest experience and creating memorable, engaging interactions for visitors.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong work ethic, self-motivation, excellent presentation and communication skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with a wide range of teams to achieve shared goals.
Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Perform husbandry of assigned species (this may change daily) as well as maintain animal exhibits, yards, night enclosures, and contiguous areas.
  • Have a good base knowledge of operant conditioning and positive reinforcement training.
  • Assist with training for husbandry behaviors, provide enrichment, and perform other husbandry related tasks.
  • Maintain detailed daily records on assigned animals (ZIMS/Daily Supervisor Report)
  • May need to perform light exhibit construction, operate zoo vehicles, and maintain integrity of the existing landscape.
  • Educate the public through keeper talks, animal encounters, meet and greets, and other impromptu educational programs as well as provide a clean and safe atmosphere for families to enjoy the Nashville Zoo.
  • Feel comfortable working with a wide variety of animals across multiple departments. Including but not limited to bears, tigers, leopards, gibbons, lemurs, domesticated hoofstock, flamingos, giraffes, rhinos, okapi, etc.
  • Maintain professional conduct at all times and consistently model the organization's values in all interactions with colleagues, guests, and stakeholders.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills:
  • Ability to self-direct work tasks while ensuring safety and productivity
  • Ability to enhance guest experience through engaging interactions and confident public speaking
  • Demonstrate understanding of basic animal training through operant conditioning
  • Understand basic capture, restraint, and handling techniques
  • Understand animal behavior and group dynamics in diverse species to note changes in behavior, health, diet consumption, and other animal related activities
  • Knowledge of animal diet preparation, general biology, and natural history

Education/ Experience:
  • Applicants must have a minimum of 1 year of full-time, paid experience with either birds, ectotherms, carnivores, primates, hoofstock, domestic species, and/or ambassador animals.
  • Applicants are preferred to have a college degree (Associate's or Bachelor's) in an applicable field: Animal Science, Biology, Zoology, etc.
  • Applicants must possess a valid driver's license.

Physical Requirements:
  • The role requires frequent standing and walking for most of an 8-10-hour shift and regularly bend, kneel, reach, and perform repetitive motions while cleaning habitats, training behaviors, preparing diets, and providing enrichment.
  • The role requires frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling up to 50 lbs. and occasionally up to 75 lbs. with assistance, as well as navigating ladders, stairs, uneven terrain, and wet or slippery surfaces.
  • Strong hand dexterity, clear verbal communication, and adequate vision and hearing are essential to safely observe animals, operate tools and gates, and use radios.
  • Work occurs indoors and outdoors year-round in all weather, with routine exposure to animal dander, hay, dust, insects, loud noises, strong odors, and cleaning agents.
  • Employees may encounter biological hazards, zoonotic diseases, and potentially dangerous animals and must follow established protocols for shifting, feeding, and emergency response.
  • The role may require wearing PPE such as gloves, protective footwear, eye and hearing protection, and respirators as assigned.
  • Schedules often include late nights, early mornings, weekends, holidays, and occasional overtime based on animal needs.
  • Vaccinations, TB testing, or respirator fit testing may be necessary per policy.
  • The role must learn new tasks, remember processes, maintain focus, complete tasks independently, and make timely decisions in the context of a workflow.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Work Schedule:
  • Full-time position, averaging 40 hours per week.

  • This position requires flexibility to work varied schedules, including weekdays, weekends, early mornings, and late nights, with hours subject to change based on seasonal operations, special events, emergencies, and animal care needs.

Pre-employment requirements:
Nashville Zoo is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and maintains a drug-free work environment. All employment is at-will.
  • All candidates are required to successfully complete a criminal background check and drug screening prior to hire.
  • Pre-employment and annual tuberculosis (TB) screenings are a condition of continued employment.

Pay Range
$16.10-$17.50 USD

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