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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 ...

Oklahoma City Zoo

Preschool Lead

Oklahoma City, OK

$14.75 - $18.10/hr

From animal encounters to zoo tours, arts, crafts, and games, you'll create engaging experiences that spark curiosity and connection with wildlife. If you're a passionate educator who believes in the ...

Lion Country Safari

Wildlife Support

Loxahatchee Groves, 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 ...

Oklahoma City Zoo

Preschool Lead

Oklahoma City, OK · On-site

$14.75 - $18.10/hr

From animal encounters to zoo tours, arts, crafts, and games, you'll create engaging experiences that spark curiosity and connection with wildlife. If you're a passionate educator who believes in the ...

Dallas Zoo

General Application - Animal Care

Dallas, TX

$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 ...

City of Albuquerque

Zookeeper I-III

Albuquerque, NM · On-site

$39K - $47K/yr

As part of the Ambassador Animal Team, the preferred candidate will also collaborate with the Education Team and other animal teams from around the park on animal encounters, conservation education ...

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Animal Encounters information

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How much do animal encounters jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 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 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 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 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.

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.
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What states have the most Animal Encounters jobs?

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

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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 57% Full Time, and 43% Part Time. Highlights an 86% In-person, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,783 per year, or $21 per hour.

Part-Time Preschool Lead

Oklahoma City Zoo

Oklahoma City, OK • On-site

$14.75/hr

Part-time

Posted 13 days ago

Oklahoma City Zoo rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

15th of 37 rated wildlife parks and zoos

Job description


Do you love working with young children and inspiring a love for nature? The Preschool Lead Teacher at the Oklahoma City Zoo plays a vital role in fostering the academic and social-emotional growth of preschoolers (ages 2-5) through hands-on, nature-based learning! From animal encounters to zoo tours, arts, crafts, and games, you'll create engaging experiences that spark curiosity and connection with wildlife. If you're a passionate educator who believes in the power of play, exploration, and conservation education, this is your chance to make a wild difference!
Employment Status: Part-Time
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Pay Rate: $14.75/hr
Experience Required: 6 months experience working with preschool-age children ages 2-5 years in a formal or informal educational setting
Minimum Education Requirements: High School Diploma/GED
Department: Conservation, Education, Science
Direct Supervisor: Early Childhood Center Director
Supervisory Responsibility: N/A
Primary Work Location: Nature Explorers Preschool, both indoors and outdoors
Certification: N/A
Other: Regular, timely attendance is a requirement for this position. This position is subject to pre-employment and/or periodic background checks and restricted registry checks. Ability to complete CPR/1st Aid certification within 30 days of hire and completion of OKC Zoo Health and Safety Institute training within 30 days of employment is required. This position works around animals susceptible to specific respiratory diseases and, thus, is subject to annual tuberculosis testing.
Job Summary: The preschool lead teacher is responsible for positively fostering the academic, social-emotional growth and development of all children in their care and for developing effective partnerships with co-teachers. The lead teacher is also responsible for assuring compliance with the regulations and codes of all state and local governing contracting agencies and works collegially with other staff members of the Oklahoma City Zoo to fulfill the Zoo's mission and strategic goals.
This position aims to engage students in early childhood education through environmental and conservation education lessons that support the Zoo's mission, vision, values, and Oklahoma Academic Standards (OAS). The position helps facilitate fun and safe learning experiences to help preschoolers gain an appreciation for wildlife and the natural world. Daily preschool includes lessons geared to meet OAS and foster connection with nature and animals, nature play, zoo tours, animal encounters, arts, crafts, games, and other activities for mixed-age groups ranging from 2 to 5 years old.
Essential Job Functions
An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential duties:
  • Work in teaching teams to facilitate nature-based activities that reflect the children's needs and interests. Deliver provided curriculum and lesson plans aligned with Pre-K OAS to nurture and stimulate all domains of each children's development.
  • Observe and record each children's development using a combination of notes, assessments, portfolios, and documentation panels that measure physical, social/emotional, linguistic, and cognitive development. Share professional observations with families as needed and requested.
  • Encourage appropriate behaviors and re-direct inappropriate behaviors following standard operating procedures.
  • Present ambassador animals after receiving training.
  • Provide a physically and emotionally safe environment for young children indoors and outdoors. Assist children with a healthy, safe, clean, and developmentally appropriate environment.
  • Ensure that all activities comply with safety protocols. Understand and follow all of the Zoo's safety and emergency protocols.
  • Document behavioral and incident reports and effectively relay information to supervisors and parents.
  • Maintain regular and professional communication with teaching teams and families, including sending updated photos on BrightWheel daily, leading parent-teacher conferences twice a year, and attending weekly staff meetings.
  • Collaborate with preschool manager, supervisor, and coordinator in the creation of NEP special programming.
  • Apply developmentally appropriate practices to all interactions with children, including reflective listening, modeling social/emotional norms, and promoting self-regulation.
  • Complete daily assigned responsibilities including set-up, clean-up, and program maintenance
  • Keep all children active and engaged in the classroom and outdoors.
  • Participates in conservation activities to support Zoo's mission.
  • Communicate and interact professionally with teachers, students, parents, and Zoo guests, conveying a professional, welcoming and friendly attitude.
  • Value and support all work group members, offering assistance to ensure each other's and the whole team's success.
  • Set personal and professional goals, seeking opportunities to develop skills in focus areas.
  • Maintain OKDHS & CECPD requirement for 12 clock hours of professional development per year.
  • Practice and model the Zoo's Values centered on wildlife and wild places, conservation, people, and leadership.

Non-Essential Job Functions
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

About Us
About Us
Oklahoma City is one of the fastest-growing metros in the United States and is the 20th largest city in the nation. For nearly two decades our residents have continually invested in our community to make it a place people can find belonging, visit and call home. Our employees are at the heart of those investments-delivering essential services our residents expect and creating a strong and thriving city for all people. Visit Oklahoma City--A Great Place to Live and Work! to learn more about our city.
About the Team
The Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Garden connects people with our world's vanishing wildlife and wild places to inspire conservation action. We're seeking candidates who are passionate about the planet and all that inhabit it. Join our team of hardworking experts and get ready for a career that you're wild about! To learn more about the Oklahoma City Zoo and our conservation efforts, please visit www.okczoo.org.

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