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Working Animals Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

CareVet Health

Veterinarian

Burlington, IA · On-site

Licensure in the state/s candidate will be working * Ability to show compassion to both pets and their owners * Outstanding dexterity in handling animals while performing precise tasks * Ability to ...

Waukon Feed Ranch Inc

Livestock Caretaker

Decorah, IA · On-site

This role will also involve working on a modern day, state of the art farrow to wean sow farm. This ... Treating animals * Heat checking and breeding sows and gilts via artificial insemination

WFR

Livestock Caretaker

Decorah, IA · On-site

Description Position Overview: This role will also involve working on a modern day ... Treating animals * Heat checking and breeding sows and gilts via artificial insemination

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All JobsWorking Animals JobsWorking Animals Jobs in Iowa

Working Animals information

What is a working animal?

Working animals are animals that have been trained to perform specific tasks or services for humans. These roles can include herding livestock, pulling carts or plows, providing transportation, assisting people with disabilities, performing search and rescue, or even detecting drugs and explosives. Common examples include horses, dogs, donkeys, and oxen. Working animals have played a significant role in human societies throughout history and continue to be important in many industries and communities today.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to work with working animals?

To excel as an animal trainer for working animals, you need a strong understanding of animal behavior, training techniques, and relevant animal care practices, often supported by a high school diploma or animal science coursework. Familiarity with positive reinforcement tools, clicker training systems, and animal handling equipment is typically required. Patience, clear communication, and observational skills are crucial soft skills that help build trust and ensure effective training. These competencies are vital for ensuring the safety, well-being, and optimal performance of working animals in professional settings.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working with service or therapy animals, and how can these be managed?

Professionals who work with service or therapy animals often encounter challenges such as maintaining the animals’ training and behavior standards, ensuring their health and well-being, and fostering effective communication between the animal and handler. It’s also common to navigate public misconceptions and access issues when bringing animals into various environments. Managing these challenges involves ongoing education, regular health check-ups for the animals, and strong teamwork with both human and animal partners. Support from experienced colleagues and continuing professional development are also valuable in overcoming these daily obstacles.

What is the difference between Working Animals vs Search and Rescue Dogs?

AspectWorking AnimalsSearch and Rescue Dogs
Required CredentialsBasic training, certifications vary by taskAdvanced training, certifications in search and rescue techniques
Work EnvironmentFarms, farms, urban areas, specialized environmentsDisaster sites, wilderness, urban search zones
Employer & IndustryAgriculture, transportation, service industriesEmergency services, rescue organizations

Working Animals encompass a broad range of animals trained for various tasks across industries, while Search and Rescue Dogs are specifically trained to locate missing persons in disaster or wilderness scenarios. Both roles require specialized training, but Search and Rescue Dogs undergo more intensive certification processes and operate primarily in emergency environments. Understanding these differences helps clarify their unique functions and training requirements.

What careers let you work with working animals?

Careers involving working animals include roles such as animal trainer, equine veterinarian, livestock handler, search and rescue dog handler, and zoo keeper. These jobs often require specialized training, certifications, and hands-on experience working directly with animals in various environments like farms, shelters, or training facilities.

What are popular job titles related to Working Animals jobs in Iowa?

For Working Animals jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Working Animals jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Working Animals jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Working Animals jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Working Animals job openings:

Working Animals jobs near you
Infographic showing various Working Animals job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution.

Iowa State Director, State Affairs

Humane World for Animals

Des Moines, IA • On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description

The general salary range for this position is $90,000 - 115,000. Salary offers will be commensurate with experience, qualifications, skills, training and education.
Humane World for Animals, a global leader in animal advocacy and protection, is seeking a State Director, Iowa for the State Affairs department. In this position you will be operating from a home office under the supervision of the Regional Director. You will be responsible for developing and executing state specific strategies to advance the organization's legislative and programmatic goals.
You will be responsible for:
  • Advances public policy priorities through direct lobbying. Influences and builds relationships with agency officials, lawmakers, executives and staff in support of the organization's priorities, Manages and directs policy reform through each stage of the process;
  • Builds and engages a diverse coalition of stakeholders in support of the organization's strategic plan and public policy goals in assigned state;
  • Develops state specific strategy with program teams and other internal stakeholders and implements the plan in assigned state which includes passing public policy, defending against attacks to weaken animal protection laws, and working on priority issues within assigned state;
  • Serves as a spokesperson for the organization with government officials, key stakeholders and the media. Seeks out media opportunities to advance public policy goals and increase public awareness of priority issues;
  • Complies with internal, local, and statewide lobbying regulations, manages the state's budget, and updates and maintains social media sites with information regarding organizational priorities;
  • In collaboration with organizational experts, provides guidance, training, and support for local investigators and enforcement officials, and provides hands-on assistance when appropriate;
  • On occasion, works with the Humane World Action Fund to carry out State PAC work or political activity;
  • Performs other duties and responsibilities, as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Government/Public Affairs, Communications/Media, or a related field, or equivalent work experience required;
  • A minimum of five (5) years of progressive work experience in animal protection/advocacy work or other related experience required;
  • Legislative/lobbying experience strongly preferred;
  • Volunteer management experience preferred;
  • Grassroots advocacy and political campaigning experience is a plus;
  • Strong knowledge of and interest in the animal welfare movement preferred;
  • Strong knowledge and understanding of the legislative and political process, particularly at the state level;
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
  • Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously and be flexible with regard to workload and assignments;
  • Ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders across diverse political, cultural, socioeconomic spectrums; uphold organizational values related to diversity, equity, and inclusion;
  • Comfortable in a fast-paced environment with frequent deadlines; high energy, self-motivated and proactive;
  • Excellent organizational skills. The ability to analyze and manage problems in advancing legislative strategy and effectively provide solutions;
  • Strong interpersonal skills;
  • Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook); comfortable learning new technological platforms as introduced by the organization;
  • Attention to detail and commitment to excellence, demonstrated by the delivery of quality and timely outcomes;
  • Ability to work both independently and as an effective team member in a team environment.

This is a full-time remote position based from a home office in the state of Iowa. Candidates must live within a one-hour commute from Des Moines. Extensive travel across the state with occasional travel out of state required.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital or parental status or protected veteran status. EOE

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