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Humane Educator Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by ... Education: Four year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses ...

Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by ... Education: Four year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses ...

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Humane Educator information

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How much do humane educator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for humane educator in Minnesota is $21.96, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.49 and $24.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a humane educator?

Humane educators are professionals who teach people—often children, but also adults—about compassion, respect, and responsibility toward animals, people, and the environment. They design and deliver programs, workshops, and curricula that promote empathy, ethical decision-making, and positive social change. Humane educators may work in schools, animal shelters, nonprofits, or community organizations, aiming to inspire individuals to make choices that improve the well-being of all living things. Their work often includes interactive lessons, advocacy, and public speaking to raise awareness about issues like animal welfare, environmental stewardship, and social justice.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a humane educator?

To thrive as a Humane Educator, you need a background in education, animal welfare, or a related field, often supported by a degree or relevant certifications. Familiarity with educational technology, curriculum development tools, and animal care protocols is typically required. Excellent communication, public speaking, and empathy are vital soft skills for effectively engaging diverse audiences and fostering compassion. These skills and qualities are essential for inspiring positive attitudes towards animals and promoting responsible behavior in communities.

What are some common challenges faced by humane educators, and how can they be addressed?

Humane educators often encounter the challenge of engaging diverse audiences with varying levels of knowledge and interest in animal welfare and social justice topics. To address this, educators tailor their approaches to be age-appropriate and culturally sensitive, using interactive activities and real-life stories to foster empathy and understanding. Additionally, they may work in environments where resources are limited, so creativity and collaboration with colleagues or local organizations are essential to maximize impact. Building strong relationships with schools, community groups, and shelters can also help overcome logistical hurdles and broaden outreach.

What is the difference between Humane Educator vs Animal Care Specialist?

AspectHumane EducatorAnimal Care Specialist
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may prefer related certificationsHigh school diploma; certifications in animal handling may be preferred
Work EnvironmentClassroom, community outreach, educational programsAnimal shelters, kennels, veterinary clinics
Employer & IndustryNonprofits, zoos, educational organizationsAnimal shelters, rescue organizations, veterinary clinics
Primary FocusEducating the public about animal welfare and responsible pet ownershipProviding direct care, feeding, and health monitoring of animals

While both roles involve working with animals, Humane Educators focus on public education and outreach, whereas Animal Care Specialists are primarily responsible for the daily care and well-being of animals. Understanding these differences helps job seekers find the right position aligned with their skills and interests.

What are popular job titles related to Humane Educator jobs in Minnesota?

For Humane Educator jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Humane Educator job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, and 15% Part Time. Highlights an 86% In-person, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,668 per year, or $22 per hour.

Adoption Services Specialist - Part-Time

Minneapolis, MN • On-site


Animal Humane Society
Non-Profits • 51 - 200 employees

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 27 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

416th of 781 rated non-profit organizations

People enjoy working here

Respectful managers

Learn new skills


Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 days ago


Job description

Adoption Services Specialist

Do you have excellent customer service skills? Are you passionate about seeing animals find their forever homes? Come work as an Adoption Services Specialist for Animal Humane Society, where caring for animals isn't just a job – it's our passion. We are on a mission to compassionately and responsibly create a more humane world for animals and their people.

The Adoption Services Specialist is responsible for providing a positive visitor experience by engaging with visitors, assisting visitors with animal visitations, providing animal information, and completing animal adoptions.

Benefits include:

  • Paid Time Off
  • 4 Floating Holidays Per Full Calendar Year
  • 401k Retirement Plan with 4% Company Match

Schedule: Part-time; up to 29 hours/week Saturday or Sunday availability required Shifts are 4-8 hours in length Saturday-Sunday shift times between 9:45a-6:15p Tuesday-Friday: shift times between 11:45a-8:15p Location: Golden Valley, MN

Job Duties

Adoption Services:

  • Greet visitors and promptly respond to animal inquiries and questions.
  • Assist visitors with animal visitations.
  • Act as an educational resource for basic breed, animal care, animal history, and behavior information.
  • Continually observe adoption area to ensure all individuals' needs are met.
  • Thoroughly explain the adoption process.
  • Complete adoptions, ensuring all transaction paperwork and computer records are accurate.
  • Prepare adopters for success by selling merchandise and suggesting services that best suits their needs.
  • Accurately process animal adoptions, holds, and merchandise sales in accordance with established procedures and guidelines.
  • Responsibly handle cash and credit transactions and adhere to procedures with respect to all receivables.
  • Maintain merchandise area including displaying, cleaning, stocking, checking-in, and storing of product.
  • Carry out housekeeping and cleaning procedures, including in animal areas.
  • Escalate visitor concerns, animal needs or issues as appropriate.

Communication and Culture:

  • Communicate in a positive and professional manner with visitors, other employees, and volunteers.
  • Promote a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion to make AHS a welcoming environment for all.

Technology:

  • Review animal records in PetPoint.
  • Utilize multiline phone system and Language Line phone service.
  • Utilize tablets for processing adoptions, reviewing animal records, accessing Language Line, and completing inventory counts.
  • Manage and view work schedule in Makeshift.
  • Clock in and out of shifts using Paycor.
  • Monitor AHS email and other messaging software.

Other duties as assigned.

Additional Information

Schedule and Attendance:

  • Required to be on time to scheduled shifts during operational hours which may include evenings, weekends and holidays.
  • May be required to work at a different site based on department needs.
  • May be required to attend occasional off-site meetings and events.
  • Attend and participate in regular team meetings and one-on-one meetings with direct leader.

Work Environment:

  • Environment can be dirty, wet, warm and humid.
  • Exposure to zoonotic diseases and pests such as fleas and ticks.
  • Possibility of being bitten or scratched.
  • Exposure to unpleasant odors, chemicals and noises, including barking.
  • May be exposed to extreme weather conditions including but not limited to cold, heat, rain and snow when outside.
Requirements

What we're looking for:

Experience: Customer service, sales, and animal handling experience preferred.

Skills: Strong customer services and communication skills. Strong attention to detail and multi-tasking skills. Proficient with computers, specifically a working knowledge of Microsoft products.

Physical Demands: Must be able to lift, carry, and handle animals and other items up to 50 lbs. unassisted. For animals and other items over 50 lbs., assistance from another team member is required. Prolonged periods of standing and walking.

Emotional Demands: Ability to be emotionally resilient while working in a shelter setting. Must be comfortable handling a variety of animals with a wide range of behavioral and medical needs, including the use of humane euthanasia. Must be comfortable with animal body fluids including urine, feces, and blood. Transportation: Reliable transportation required.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required for this role. Duties, responsibilities and requirements may change at any time with or without notice.

About AHS Every year, Animal Humane Society provides direct care and services to help thousands of animals in need across Minnesota. As one of the nation's leading animal welfare organizations, AHS is transforming the way shelters care for animals and engage their communities. From innovative medical and behavior programs to investments in outreach and advocacy, we're advancing animal welfare and creating a more humane world for animals everywhere.

Why Work Here:

  • Make a difference in the lives of animals and people
  • Join a team of coworkers who love animals as much as you do
  • Work-life balance
  • Unique animal adoption benefits and discounts on veterinary care, pet supplies, and animal training classes
  • Health insurance coverage for full-time staff includes the following: medical, dental, vision, health savings account, flexible spending account for health care expenses and dependent care, voluntary accident insurance, and employee ­paid supplemental life, accidental death & dismemberment and long-term disability insurance.
  • Employer paid benefits for full-time staff includes the following: basic life insurance, basic accidental death and dismemberment insurance, short-term disability
  • Support for student loans: we are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer
  • Mental Health and Counseling Support: all employees have access to our Employee Assistance Program with 3 free counseling sessions per year
  • 401k for part-time and full-time staff with company match
  • Nine paid holidays for full-time staff
  • Paid floating holidays for part-time and full-time staff (up to 4 days per year based on start date)
  • Paid Time Off for part-time and full-time staff (amount is based on hours worked and FTE status)
  • Paid parent leave for full-time staff

Our Organizational Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: As an organization dedicated to making the world a more humane and compassionate place for animals, we know that people are at the heart of all that we do. Animal Humane Society's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity is essential to our mission and shapes our culture, our work, and the services we provide. At AHS we embrace and honor the inherent dignity and diverse experiences of our team members, volunteers, board members, partners, clients, and visitors, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, or income. Working together to instill equity and inclusivity within our organization will allow us to better serve the people and animals of Minnesota and ultimately have a positive impact on animals in our care.



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