Animal Care Specialist Jobs
Animal Care Specialist jobs are open across veterinary clinics, animal shelters, zoos, research facilities, and pet care companies, at every level from entry-level attendant to senior specialist, with specializations in exotic animal care, shelter medicine support, and veterinary assistance. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Animal Care Specialist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 453+ Animal Care Specialist jobs
Overnight Lead Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) – Emergency & Critical Care
South Metro Animal Emergency Care | Apple Valley, MN
COMPETITIVE PAY + BENEFITS
$34–$38/hour, based on experience
+$6/hour overnight differential (8 PM–8 AM)
+$2/hour weekend differential
$2,500 sign-on bonus
PTO, medical, dental, vision, 401(k), life and AD&D insurance, EAP, supplemental insurance options, and eligibility for performance-based bonuses
READY TO LEAD? READY TO MAKE AN IMPACT?
This is more than an overnight technician position. It's an opportunity to lead, mentor, inspire, and help shape the future of a 24/7 Emergency Veterinary team!
South Metro Animal Emergency Care (SMAEC) is a growing, 24/7, AAHA-accredited emergency hospital seeking an experienced, motivated, and confident Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) to step into a leadership role within our Emergency and Critical Care department.
We're looking for someone who isn't afraid to take charge, enjoys developing others, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and understands what it takes to build a strong, cohesive overnight team.
Our technicians are valued medical professionals with a real voice in patient care, treatment decisions, and hospital flow. You'll work directly with DVMs in a collaborative, technician-forward environment with strong staffing support—typically 2 credentialed technicians and 2 veterinary assistants per doctor.
WHAT MAKES THIS OPPORTUNITY EXCITING?
Lead with purpose: Take ownership of overnight clinical operations and serve as a key leader for the team.
Build a great team: Mentor, coach, develop, and empower technicians and assistants to reach their full potential.
Make a clinical impact: Work alongside emergency veterinarians to provide exceptional care for critical and emergency patients.
Partner with leadership: Work closely with the Hospital Leadership Team and Medical Director to align clinical goals, improve hospital operations, strengthen team performance, and drive continued growth within the Emergency Department.
Have a voice: Collaborate with hospital leadership on department initiatives, workflow improvements, team development, and clinical excellence.
Drive accountability: Help establish consistency, communication, teamwork, and high clinical standards across overnight operations.
WHAT YOU'LL DO DAY TO DAY
Our cases include toxins, foreign bodies, urinary obstructions, respiratory emergencies, trauma, surgical emergencies, and hospitalized or critical patients.
Your responsibilities will include:
Leading and supporting overnight clinical operations while maintaining high standards of patient care.
Performing initial triage and collaborating directly with DVMs to prioritize patient needs.
Reviewing treatment plans with clients and answering questions with empathy and confidence.
Placing IV catheters, NG tubes, central lines, and PICC lines.
Applying splints and bandages.
Running and monitoring anesthesia for surgical procedures.
Performing and overseeing treatments for hospitalized patients.
Monitoring and advocating for patients throughout their stay.
Mentoring teammates and supporting a collaborative, accountable team.
Partnering with hospital leadership to improve workflows, communication, and overall department performance.
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
Someone who:
Holds a current Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) credential.
Has a strong background in veterinary emergency and critical care.
Is confident in their technical skills and clinical decision-making.
Is a natural leader who leads by example.
Has a passion for mentoring and developing others.
Can confidently navigate challenging situations and make sound decisions.
Understands that great leadership means supporting, motivating, and holding a team accountable.
Values collaboration and wants to be an active partner in hospital leadership.
Is ready to take ownership and make a difference.
❤️ WHY SOUTH METRO?
Technician-forward culture that values your knowledge, experience, and clinical skills.
Strong technician-to-doctor ratios and meaningful autonomy.
Hands-on emergency medicine experience and opportunities to expand your skills.
Supportive leadership and teammates who help one another.
A collaborative environment where your voice matters.
8-, 10-, or 12-hour shifts, with swing and overnight options.
OUR CORE VALUES
Respect • Wow Service • Learning • Fun • Communication • Doing the Right Thing
We're not just looking for someone to fill an overnight schedule. We're looking for a leader who wants to build something great.
If you're ready to take the next step in your veterinary career, influence the direction of a team, partner with hospital leadership, and make a lasting impact in emergency medicine, we want to meet you!
Step into leadership. Build your team. Shape the future.
READY TO JOIN OUR TEAM?
For more information about our hospital, visit smaec.com.
To apply, contact Christine Strassburg at christine.strassburg@lakefieldvet.com or apply at careers.lakefieldvet.com.
#LI-CE
Overnight Lead Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) – Emergency & Critical Care
South Metro Animal Emergency Care | Apple Valley, MN
COMPETITIVE PAY + BENEFITS
$34–$38/hour, based on experience
+$6/hour overnight differential (8 PM–8 AM)
+$2/hour weekend differential
$2,500 sign-on bonus
PTO, medical, dental, vision, 401(k), life and AD&D insurance, EAP, supplemental insurance options, and eligibility for performance-based bonuses
READY TO LEAD? READY TO MAKE AN IMPACT?
This is more than an overnight technician position. It's an opportunity to lead, mentor, inspire, and help shape the future of a 24/7 Emergency Veterinary team!
South Metro Animal Emergency Care (SMAEC) is a growing, 24/7, AAHA-accredited emergency hospital seeking an experienced, motivated, and confident Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) to step into a leadership role within our Emergency and Critical Care department.
We're looking for someone who isn't afraid to take charge, enjoys developing others, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and understands what it takes to build a strong, cohesive overnight team.
Our technicians are valued medical professionals with a real voice in patient care, treatment decisions, and hospital flow. You'll work directly with DVMs in a collaborative, technician-forward environment with strong staffing support—typically 2 credentialed technicians and 2 veterinary assistants per doctor.
WHAT MAKES THIS OPPORTUNITY EXCITING?
Lead with purpose: Take ownership of overnight clinical operations and serve as a key leader for the team.
Build a great team: Mentor, coach, develop, and empower technicians and assistants to reach their full potential.
Make a clinical impact: Work alongside emergency veterinarians to provide exceptional care for critical and emergency patients.
Partner with leadership: Work closely with the Hospital Leadership Team and Medical Director to align clinical goals, improve hospital operations, strengthen team performance, and drive continued growth within the Emergency Department.
Have a voice: Collaborate with hospital leadership on department initiatives, workflow improvements, team development, and clinical excellence.
Drive accountability: Help establish consistency, communication, teamwork, and high clinical standards across overnight operations.
WHAT YOU'LL DO DAY TO DAY
Our cases include toxins, foreign bodies, urinary obstructions, respiratory emergencies, trauma, surgical emergencies, and hospitalized or critical patients.
Your responsibilities will include:
Leading and supporting overnight clinical operations while maintaining high standards of patient care.
Performing initial triage and collaborating directly with DVMs to prioritize patient needs.
Reviewing treatment plans with clients and answering questions with empathy and confidence.
Placing IV catheters, NG tubes, central lines, and PICC lines.
Applying splints and bandages.
Running and monitoring anesthesia for surgical procedures.
Performing and overseeing treatments for hospitalized patients.
Monitoring and advocating for patients throughout their stay.
Mentoring teammates and supporting a collaborative, accountable team.
Partnering with hospital leadership to improve workflows, communication, and overall department performance.
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
Someone who:
Holds a current Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) credential.
Has a strong background in veterinary emergency and critical care.
Is confident in their technical skills and clinical decision-making.
Is a natural leader who leads by example.
Has a passion for mentoring and developing others.
Can confidently navigate challenging situations and make sound decisions.
Understands that great leadership means supporting, motivating, and holding a team accountable.
Values collaboration and wants to be an active partner in hospital leadership.
Is ready to take ownership and make a difference.
❤️ WHY SOUTH METRO?
Technician-forward culture that values your knowledge, experience, and clinical skills.
Strong technician-to-doctor ratios and meaningful autonomy.
Hands-on emergency medicine experience and opportunities to expand your skills.
Supportive leadership and teammates who help one another.
A collaborative environment where your voice matters.
8-, 10-, or 12-hour shifts, with swing and overnight options.
OUR CORE VALUES
Respect • Wow Service • Learning • Fun • Communication • Doing the Right Thing
We're not just looking for someone to fill an overnight schedule. We're looking for a leader who wants to build something great.
If you're ready to take the next step in your veterinary career, influence the direction of a team, partner with hospital leadership, and make a lasting impact in emergency medicine, we want to meet you!
Step into leadership. Build your team. Shape the future.
READY TO JOIN OUR TEAM?
For more information about our hospital, visit smaec.com.
To apply, contact Christine Strassburg at christine.strassburg@lakefieldvet.com or apply at careers.lakefieldvet.com.
#LI-CE
Animal Care Specialist Jobs by Experience Level
See All 453+ Animal Care Specialist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Animal Care Specialist JobsAnimal Care Specialist Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Pet Supplies Plus105
- PetVet Care Centers31
- Village Pet Care16
- Lakefield Veterinary15
- ShotVet11
Top Industries Hiring
- Education10
- Science & Research3
- Animal Care & Pet Services3
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in animal care specialist jobs.
- Experience handling and restraining animals of multiple species safely
- Knowledge of basic animal health monitoring and husbandry practices
- Ability to administer medications or treatments under veterinary supervision
- High school diploma or equivalent with relevant hands-on animal care experience
- Physical ability to lift animals and stand for extended periods
- Familiarity with kennel management software or shelter intake systems
Tips for Your Animal Care Specialist Job Search
Tailor your resume to animal handling
List every species you've worked with, the handling techniques you've used, and any medical procedures you've assisted with. Hiring managers in animal care scan for hands-on specifics, not general pet experience, so the more precise your resume, the better.
Earn a recognized animal care certification
Certifications like the PACCC or the NACA Animal Control Officer credential signal competence to employers screening dozens of applicants. If you're in shelter work, completing HSUS or ASPCApro training courses before you apply noticeably strengthens your candidacy.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists animal care specialist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings that match your species experience
An exotic animal facility and a dog daycare both post for animal care specialists, but your experience rarely transfers equally. Read each posting for the specific species and environments mentioned, then apply only where your background directly matches to avoid early screening cuts.
Prepare a behavioral scenario answer for interviews
Interviewers in animal care almost always ask how you've handled an aggressive or injured animal under pressure. Write out two specific examples from your past before your first interview, one involving restraint and one involving a medical emergency assist, so your answers are concrete and confident.
Follow up with a care-specific thank-you note
After your interview, send a thank-you that references a specific animal care challenge discussed during the conversation. Mentioning a protocol question or a species-handling detail shows genuine attention and sets you apart from candidates who send a generic note.
Animal Care Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most animal care specialists?
Pet Supplies Plus, PetVet Care Centers, and Village Pet Care are hiring the most animal care specialists right now, with openings concentrated in Ohio, Texas, and Minnesota, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Shelters, veterinary hospital groups, and zoological institutions consistently account for the largest share of open roles.
How many animal care specialist jobs are remote?
About 6% of animal care specialist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most roles in this field. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements include animal welfare education, shelter outreach coordination, and training program development rather than direct animal handling positions.
How do you become an animal care specialist?
Start by gaining hands-on experience through volunteering at an animal shelter, veterinary clinic, or wildlife rehabilitation center. Complete a relevant certificate program in animal science, veterinary assisting, or zoo animal technology. Earn a recognized credential such as a PACCC certification or an NACA designation to strengthen your applications. Build experience across multiple species and care settings before targeting specialized roles.
How do you get hired as an animal care specialist with little or no experience?
Start with volunteer work at a local shelter or humane society, since many organizations count documented volunteer hours as qualifying experience. Focus on entry-level positions at boarding facilities, pet daycares, or general veterinary practices where on-the-job training is standard. Completing a short veterinary assistant or animal care certificate course before applying demonstrates commitment and fills the experience gap employers most often flag.
What does the animal care specialist interview process look like?
Most employers start with a phone or video screen to confirm your species experience and availability. An in-person interview typically follows, where you can expect behavioral questions about handling difficult or injured animals and scenario questions about emergency protocols. Some facilities include a brief working interview or facility tour so supervisors can observe how you interact with the animals directly before making a hiring decision.
Where can I find and apply to animal care specialist jobs?
You can find and apply to animal care specialist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your species experience, location, and seniority level, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 453+ Animal Care Specialist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Animal Care Specialist Jobs