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Working With Animals Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Animal Care Associate

Phoenix, AZ ยท On-site

$19 - $35.50/hr

Six months of experience working with animals in a veterinary hospital, humane society, or other animal facility * High school diploma or GED Other Requirements * Candidates must be flexible and able ...

Six months of experience working with animals in a veterinary hospital, humane society, or other animal facility * High school diploma or GED Other Requirements * Candidates must be flexible and able ...

Animal Care Field Officer

Tucson, AZ ยท On-site

$20.72/hr

Minimum six (6) months either paid or volunteer experience working with animals. * Minimum six (6) months experience in animal welfare, including animal control, sheltering, and rescue, or other ...

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Working With Animals information

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How much do working with animals jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for working with animals in Arizona is $20.23, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.59 and $23.08 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced when working with animals in a professional setting?

Professionals working with animals often encounter challenges such as unpredictable animal behavior, physically demanding tasks, and emotional stress from caring for sick or injured animals. Adapting quickly to each animal's unique temperament and needs is essential, as is following strict safety and hygiene protocols. Teamwork is also crucial, as animal care roles frequently require close collaboration with veterinarians, trainers, and other specialists to ensure the well-being of the animals.

What is the difference between Working With Animals vs Animal Care Technician?

AspectWorking With AnimalsAnimal Care Technician
Required CredentialsVaries; often no formal certification neededCertification or training often preferred or required
Work EnvironmentZoos, shelters, farms, pet storesVeterinary clinics, animal shelters, research labs
Employer & Industry UsageAnimal welfare organizations, pet industry, farmsVeterinary hospitals, research facilities, shelters
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles involving animalsDetails about animal care responsibilities and qualifications

Working With Animals is a broad term covering various roles involving animal interaction, while Animal Care Technicians focus specifically on providing medical and daily care in veterinary or shelter settings. Both roles require a passion for animals, but Animal Care Technicians often need specific training or certification. The choice depends on your desired work environment and career goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a career working with animals?

To thrive in a career working with animals, you generally need knowledge of animal behavior, basic animal care, and, for some roles, certifications or degrees in animal science or veterinary technology. Familiarity with animal handling equipment, record-keeping systems, and sometimes first aid or animal CPR certification is typical. Compassion, patience, and strong observational skills are crucial soft skills for ensuring animal welfare and effective communication with team members or pet owners. These skills and qualities are vital for promoting animal health, safety, and positive human-animal interactions in various professional settings.

What does working with animals involve?

Working with animals can include a variety of roles such as veterinary care, animal training, animal shelter work, wildlife conservation, and research. Professionals in this field may care for animals' health, train them for specific tasks, or work to conserve endangered species. The work environment can range from clinics and zoos to laboratories and the wild. Responsibilities often include feeding, cleaning, monitoring behavior, and sometimes educating the public about animal welfare. The job can be physically demanding but is often rewarding for animal lovers.
What are popular job titles related to Working With Animals jobs in Arizona? For Working With Animals jobs in Arizona, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Working With Animals jobs in Arizona look for? The top searched job categories for Working With Animals jobs in Arizona are:
What cities in Arizona are hiring for Working With Animals jobs? Cities in Arizona with the most Working With Animals job openings:
Infographic showing various Working With Animals job openings in Arizona as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,069 per year, or $20.2 per hour.

Part-Time Animal Care Specialist (Weekends, Holidays & Relief Coverage)

The Austin Centers for Exceptional Students

Peoria, AZ โ€ข On-site

$15 - $19.75/hr

Other

Posted 22 days ago


Job description

Part-Time Animal Care Specialist (Weekends, Holidays & Relief Coverage)

Location:ย Peoria, AZ

We are a specialized school serving students with special needs in Peoria, Arizona. As part of our educational programming, we care for a small collection of farm animals that support hands-on learning and meaningful student interaction.

We are seeking a reliable and compassionateย Part-Time Animal Care Specialistย to provide consistent, quality care for our animals.

Position Overview

We are seeking a reliable, compassionate, and self-motivatedย Part-Time Animal Care Specialistย to provide consistent, quality care for our animals during weekends, school holidays, and occasional weekday coverage.

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys working with animals, is comfortable working independently, and is looking for a small number of consistent, meaningful hours each week.

Schedule

  • Approximatelyย 4-6 hours per week
  • Typicallyย 2-3 visits per week
  • Weekday morning care:ย Generallyย 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
  • Weekends and school holidays:ย Generallyย 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  • Each visit averagesย approximately 2 hours

The primary responsibility is providing animal care when school staff are not on campus, including weekends and school holidays. Additional weekday shifts may occasionally be available to provide coverage when one of the school's regular animal care staff members is absent due to illness, vacation, or other scheduling needs.

Responsibilities

  • Feed and provide fresh water to all animals according to established schedules.
  • Clean stalls, pens, coops, and surrounding animal enclosures.
  • Monitor the health, behavior, and overall well-being of the animals, reporting any concerns promptly.
  • Provide attentive daily care and positive human interaction.
  • Maintain clean, safe, and humane living environments for all animals.
  • Ensure supplies are stocked and notify supervisors when additional supplies are needed.
  • Follow established animal care and safety procedures.

Animals in Our Care

Our educational animal program currently includes:

  • Horses
  • Goats
  • Poultry

Qualifications

  • Previous experience caring for horses is strongly preferred.
  • Experience working with farm animals is highly desirable.
  • Dependable, punctual, and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
  • Compassionate and committed to providing excellent animal care.
  • Reliable transportation.
  • Mobile phone available for communication while on duty.
  • Preference will be given to candidates who reside in or near Peoria, Arizona.
  • Must be available to work weekends and school holidays, with flexibility to occasionally provide weekday coverage as needed.

This is a meaningful opportunity to support a unique school environment where animals and students positively enrich one another's daily experiences. If you enjoy working with animals and are looking for a flexible, rewarding part-time role, we'd love to hear from you.