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Entry Level Behavioral Science Jobs in Chicago, IL

Receive mentorship from diverse professionals in science, engineering, and consulting, applying ... behaviors. * Data Integrations: Develop skills in writing efficient and reusable programs to ...

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Receive mentorship from diverse professionals in science, engineering, and consulting, applying ... behaviors. * Data Integrations: Develop skills in writing efficient and reusable programs to ...

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Receive mentorship from diverse professionals in science, engineering, and consulting, applying ... behaviors. * Data Integrations: Develop skills in writing efficient and reusable programs to ...

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Entry Level Behavioral Science information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$12

$20

$26

How much do entry level behavioral science jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level behavioral science in Chicago, IL is $20.47, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.50 and $22.79 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Entry Level Behavioral Science vs Entry Level Psychology?

AspectEntry Level Behavioral ScienceEntry Level Psychology
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Behavioral Science, Psychology, or related fieldBachelor's in Psychology or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch settings, healthcare, social servicesClinics, research institutions, educational settings
Employer & Industry UsageResearch firms, healthcare organizations, government agenciesHospitals, clinics, academic institutions
Common Search & ComparisonFocuses on behavioral analysis and research methodsFocuses on mental health, therapy, and counseling

Entry Level Behavioral Science and Entry Level Psychology share similar educational backgrounds and work environments, but they differ in focus areas. Behavioral Science emphasizes research and analysis of human behavior across various settings, while Psychology often centers on mental health and therapeutic practices. Both roles serve as foundational steps toward specialized careers in their respective fields.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level behavioral science professional?

To thrive as an Entry Level Behavioral Science professional, you need a foundational understanding of psychology or behavioral science principles, typically supported by a bachelor’s degree in a related field. Familiarity with data collection tools, statistical analysis software (like SPSS or R), and research methodologies is often required. Strong interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and critical thinking help you connect with clients and interpret behavioral data effectively. These skills are crucial for accurately analyzing behaviors, supporting research projects, and contributing to evidence-based interventions.

What can I do with an entry level behavioral science degree?

An entry-level behavioral science degree prepares individuals for roles such as research assistants, behavioral technicians, or data analysts in settings like healthcare, social services, or market research. These positions often involve data collection, analysis, and applying psychological principles, with opportunities to develop skills in research methods and behavioral assessment.

What can I do with a career in entry level behavioral science?

An entry-level behavioral science position involves applying principles of psychology and human behavior to analyze and influence decision-making, often in settings like healthcare, marketing, or public policy. Roles may include research assistant, behavioral technician, or data analyst, requiring skills in data collection, analysis, and communication. These positions often serve as a foundation for advanced roles or further education in the field.

What is an entry level behavioral science job?

Entry level behavioral science jobs are positions for individuals who are just starting their careers in the field of behavioral science, often requiring a bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, or a related discipline. These roles typically involve assisting with research, data collection, analysis, or working with clients under supervision in settings like healthcare, education, or social services. Common job titles include research assistant, behavioral technician, case manager, or program coordinator. These positions provide foundational experience and training for advancing to more specialized or senior roles in behavioral science.

How to get an entry level behavioral science job?

To get an entry-level behavioral science job, you must have several qualifications, including education and professional certification. A bachelor's degree in psychology, sociology, human behavior, behavioral science, or a closely related field is usually necessary to get work in social work, marketing, and research. To work as a therapist, you must have either a master’s degree or a doctorate and a license to practice in your state. To advance in other fields, such as social work and research, an advanced degree is often necessary. Strong analytical thinking skills and excellent interpersonal communication abilities are essential for work in behavioral science.

What do entry level behavioral science professionals do?

Entry-level behavioral science professionals often support research initiatives by collecting and analyzing data, conducting literature reviews, and assisting with the design and implementation of experiments or surveys. They may also help prepare reports or presentations and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including psychologists, data analysts, and program managers. These tasks provide a strong foundation in research methods and data interpretation, while offering exposure to a variety of real-world behavioral science applications.

Is entry level behavioral science in high demand?

Entry level behavioral science roles are increasingly in demand as organizations seek to apply behavioral insights to improve decision-making, marketing, and policy development. Skills in data analysis, research methods, and understanding human behavior are valuable in various sectors such as healthcare, technology, and government, contributing to steady job growth in this field.
More about Entry Level Behavioral Science jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Behavioral Science jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Behavioral Science jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Behavioral Science jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Entry Level Behavioral Science jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Behavioral Science jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Behavioral Science jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Behavioral Science job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,570 per year, or $20.5 per hour.

Temp Animal Care Specialist - Galleries

Shedd Aquarium

Chicago, IL • On-site

$20/hr

Full-time, Temporary

Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


Shedd Aquarium rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

1st of 37 rated wildlife parks and zoos


Job description

TITLE: Temporary Animal Care Specialist, Galleries Team
DEPARTMENT: Aquarium Team
REPORTS TO: Manager of Freshwater Habitats
STATUS: Full-time, Temp, Non-Exempt
DURATION: 5 Months
PAY RATE: $20.00/hour
POSITION OVERVIEW: Shedd Aquarium illustrates a commitment to optimal animal care and welfare to facilitate impactful public engagement with wildlife. Our animals first approach has a foundation that individuals and groups of animals can exhibit natural behaviors encouraged through complex environmental design, innovative behavioral training, and enrichment.
The Animal Care Specialist, Galleries team reports to the Manager of Freshwater Habitats and performs the daily husbandry of Shedd Aquariums animal collection, with a specific focus on tropical and temperate freshwater fishes, temperate marine animals, and Amazonian semi-aquatic and terrestrial species. This role also participates in the care of other animals under the department's responsible role as needed. The Animal Care Specialist, Galleries team will assume coverage responsibility for habitats and animals assigned to them, which may include tropical and temperate fish and invertebrates, both marine and freshwater. As well as reptiles, amphibians and birds.
This position works closely with their Manager and the rest of their team - along with Animal Health, Environmental Quality, and Facilities - to ensure the smooth and effective operations involving animals and habitats, especially as they relate to husbandry and welfare. This position works cooperatively with the animal care management teams to ensure compliance with all accreditation and regulatory requirements for departmental operations.
Animal Care Specialists are entry-level and just beginning to learn animal operations in the Animal Care and Science Division. They will assist Aquarists, Senior Aquarists, and Managers with inter-departmental productivity and begin participation in strategies to meet institutional objectives and initiatives requiring support of the Animal Care Department.
TIME COMMITMENT/SCHEDULE: Thursday - Monday, 7:00 am - 3:30 pm
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
include the following. Other duties may be assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
  • Demonstrates commitment to Shedd's vision, mission, and values.
  • Achieves goals and objectives assigned for short- and long-term operations.
  • Learns to maintain good animal records in accordance with Aquarium Team standards and as directed by Manager, including the use of TRACKs animal record keeping software.
  • Prepares diets and feeds animals to meet their nutritional requirements as assigned.
  • Applies and records enrichment for animals to meet their psychological requirements as assigned.
  • Maintains front of house habitats at an inspection level of readiness.
  • Maintains back of house areas and habitats at an inspection level of readiness.
  • Works proactively with Animal Health to provide optimal animal care, assessment, and treatment as needed.
  • Assists in animal treatments and procedures as required.
  • Assists with animal transports between onsite and offsite buildings and helps maintain all transport equipment.
  • Identifies major maintenance/repair problems in any section and reports through their manager.
  • Provides timely communication to manager and covered staff members.
  • Maintains awareness and communication expectations by checking email daily along with any additional platforms used by the Animal Care departments.
  • Maintains daily animal observations, records, and reports any abnormal behavior or appearance.
  • Works effectively with Aquarium Leadership Team to achieve strategic goals and objectives of the Animal Care and Science Division.
  • Learns all the primary animal groups cared for by the Aquarium team.
  • Learns proper animal training, enrichment, and nutrition for animals.
  • Provides support for coworkers in their responsible roles as needed.
  • Maintains legal compliance measures such as tracking of respirator use (if applicable), adherence to OSHA standards, etc.
  • Participates in 1-on-1, team meetings, department meetings, division meetings, and One Shedd meetings.
  • Participates in Shedd's DEAI objectives.
  • Works with other divisions as assigned to meet strategic objectives.
  • Assists in the continuous development and implementation of animal care and sustainability innovations.
  • Responsible for the overall husbandry of Galleries systems, including lighting, flow, water quality, and animal condition.
  • Ensures animals throughout the facility are kept to Shedd Aquarium's standards of wellbeing and maintain good body condition
  • Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Education: Minimum of a bachelor's degree in marine sciences, biology, zoology, or related field (or demonstrated comparable knowledge)
Experience:
  • 1+ years of experience caring for aquatic and terrestrial animals
  • Knowledge of water chemistry and quality as they pertain to living marine systems preferred.
  • Knowledge of proper animal care, training, and enrichment preferred.
  • Knowledge of collection planning processes preferred.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, including Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint, and PowerPoint.
  • Ability to learn other business operation software as assigned, including the animal management software TRACKs.

Certifications:
  • Must possess a valid driver's license or can obtain one within 6 months from the start of employment.

Physical Readiness:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job including while wearing dive gear.
  • Lift up to 40 pounds
  • Sit
  • Stand
  • Stoop
  • Kneel
  • Walk
  • Swim
  • Hear

Working Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
This person may be exposed to:
  • Water
  • Heat
  • Cold
  • Hazardous Chemicals
  • Low noise
  • Moderate Noise
  • Loud Noise
BENEFITS OF WORKING AT SHEDD: We offer competitive compensation packages and opportunities for professional growth within our organization.
  • Accrued Paid Time Off
  • 401(k)
  • Discounted Parking and Public Transit Subsidies
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Employee Wellness program
  • Employee discounts
  • Employee Tickets
Reasonable Accommodations:
Shedd Aquarium is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the employment process, please email us at jobs@sheddaquarium.org.
We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ community, veterans and active duty military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team.

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