1

Animal Encounters Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Must be able to facilitate live animal encounters * Professional image required * Must have a working knowledge of Aquarium exhibits and animals * Ability to work weekends and evenings throughout the ...

Showing results 41-60

Animal Encounters information

See salary details

$9

$21

$27

How much do animal encounters jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 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:

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 SERVICES OFFICER

Calcasieu Parish Police Jury

Lake Charles, LA • On-site

$18.93 - $26.75/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago


Calcasieu Parish Police Jury rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 9 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

348th of 856 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Summary This is the first of five levels in the Animal Services Officers series. Incumbents respond to complaints regarding animals and perform a variety of animal protection duties. Responsibilities may include evaluating whether a violation of the law has occurred; issuing citations, warnings and notices; confiscating animals; euthanizing animals; impounding stray, vicious or dangerous animals; setting live traps; and preparing related reports.

Examples of Duties (The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Other duties may be assigned.) Patrols assigned area for emergency and non-emergency animal situations; investigates complaints; responds to work orders; removes dead animals from roadways

Issues citations and license violation warnings to pet owners regarding leash laws, containment, pet ownership and neglect, animal cruelty, and/or other related animal welfare issues. Apprehends and impounds pet and stray animals in violation of animal control ordinances; confiscates animals from negligent or abusive pet owners. Euthanized animals, which includes: injecting animals with applicable serums and transporting and disposing carcasses of deceased animals.

Educates the public on animal control ordinances, policies, and procedures, including proper control and care of pets. Performs other duties of a similar nature or level. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES This position does not require supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE High School Diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.), one year of specialized or technical training and one year experience working with animals; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. LICENSING REQUIREMENTS Euthanasia Certification; Crematory Operation Certification; Valid Driver's License as per State law or requirement. Law Enforcement Commission LACA Chemical Immobilization QUALIFICATIONS To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. KNOWLEDGE Animal handling techniques and applications; Animal traps, catch poles, and chemical immobilization techniques; Capturing and restraining domestic animals and livestock; Animal care and nutrition requirements; Investigation methods and procedures; Animal identification techniques; Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, codes, and/or statutes; Customer service principles; Recordkeeping principles; Computers and related software applications.

SKILLS Handling animals in a safe manner; Capturing, restraining, and handling animals and livestock; Responding to emergency situations; Euthanizing animals; Conducting investigations; Providing customer service; Preparing and maintaining records; Using computers and related software applications; Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction. Supplemental Information PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Positions in this class typically require: climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions. Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of forces constantly to move objects.

Incumbents may be subjected to fumes, odors, dusts, gases, poor ventilation, chemicals, blood and other bodily fluids, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting, workspace restrictions, and travel. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions; extreme heat and cold; animal bites; repugnant odors and sights inherent within a shelter environment, and possible exposure to diseases associated with animals, to include blood-borne pathogens. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; risk of electrical shock; explosive materials; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

UNIFORM An employee in this position will be supplied with a uniform, provided by the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury. The employee is responsible for abiding by the Police Jury's Uniform Agreement. NOTE The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department.


What Calcasieu Parish Police Jury employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom