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Animal Encounters Jobs (NOW HIRING)

New York Aquarium

Wild Encounters Host

New York, NY · On-site

$20/hr

... close animal experiences. Wild Encounters Host Essential duties include: Develop a thorough ... understanding of provided information and present engaging interpretation of Bronx Zoo animals and ...

Okaloosa County

Animal Control Officer I

Crestview, FL

$21.14 - $33.92/hr

Advises animal owners of county Ordinances, regulations and state law, and issues citations for ... This position may encounter conditions typical of emergency/disaster situations. Must be able to ...

Okaloosa County, FL

Animal Control Officer I

Crestview, FL · On-site

$21.14 - $33.92/hr

Requires a Florida Animal Control Association approved Animal Control Officer Certification as ... This position may encounter animals in various types of temperament during execution of their ...

Okaloosa County

Animal Control Officer I

Pensacola, FL · On-site

Requires a Florida Animal Control Association approved Animal Control Officer Certification as ... This position may encounter conditions typical of emergency/disaster situations. Must be able to ...

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Animal Encounters information

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How much do animal encounters jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 5, 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 are Animal Encounters?

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, and why are they important?

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.
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

Animal Care Technician I (Full-Time)

Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League

West Palm Beach, FL • On-site

$16/hr

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Animal Care Technician I
Department: Animal Care
Reports To: Animal Care & Behavior Manager
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Pay Rate: $16.00 Hourly

Summary
The Animal Care Technician I is responsible for the daily care of all animals in the shelter. Assists in the facilitation of adoptions by working with and training volunteers and through client interaction. Participates in playgroup for eligible dogs in our care and distributes daily enrichment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

  • Must be comfortable working with dogs and cats of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments.
  • Provide compassionate care to all animals.
  • Daily cleaning to prevent cross contamination and provide a healthy climate in animal areas.
  • Adhere to all department policies and procedures, including the use of PPE.
  • Appropriate feeding and watering as directed by management.
  • Provide exercise and enrichment to animals including distribution of prepared enrichment items.
  • Perform daily census.
  • Communicate with Medical Services staff about health and wellbeing of animals in care.
  • Administer heartworm and flea preventative as directed.
  • Assist with daily laundry, dispose of waste, and restock supplies.
  • Maintain equipment utilized for the daily cleaning and feeding of the animals.
  • Read and implement behavior modification plans and basic training as directed.
  • Provide continuous feedback to supervisors to facilitate organizational growth.
  • Bathe and groom animals as requested.
  • Provide excellent customer service.
  • Log behavior notes for specific animals as requested.
  • Participate in playgroups for eligible dogs as directed, including testing new dogs to determine social skills.

Qualifications
To perform this job 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.

  • Ability to read, write, and interpret routine reports, correspondence, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and analytical skills; comprehension abilities including the ability to apply, understand and carry out instructions.
  • Ability to problem-solve and provide reasonable solutions.
  • Must be well-organized, flexible, and work well under pressure.
  • Ability to multitask and assist in other areas when needed.
  • Ability to work well with others towards a common goal.
  • Knowledge of ShelterLuv, a plus
  • General knowledge of care, cleaning and keeping of domestic dogs and cats.
  • Bilingual, a plus

Education and Experience

  • High School Diploma, GED, or higher

Materials and Equipment Used

  • Hoses with and without pressure spray attachments
  • Scrubbers, squeegees, broom/dustpan, mop and bucket
  • Cleaning and sanitizing chemicals
  • Leashes, collars, harnesses
  • Grooming tools
  • Wheeled carts and wheeled tables
  • Computer and standard office equipment

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

  • Consistently required to stand, sit, kneel, move body, and bend and twist body.
  • Constantly required to talk, hear and use hands for grasping, reaching, and other operative tasks.
  • Consistently required to lift an animate or stationary object of up to 50 pounds.

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:

  • Exposure to animal biomaterial, animal odors, fumes, and airborne particles.
  • Exposure to wet and humid conditions, moderate heat, and moving mechanical parts.
  • The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

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