Animal Care Technician Jobs in Minnesota
Animal Care Technician jobs in Minnesota concentrate heavily in veterinary clinic networks, biomedical research institutions, and zoo and wildlife facilities, with demand at every level from entry-level kennel assistant to senior laboratory animal technician. The Twin Cities metro anchors most of the hiring, with additional activity in Rochester and Duluth, where employers like the University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic, and the Minnesota Zoo maintain long-standing animal care programs. Research support, companion animal care, and laboratory animal technology are the most consistently in-demand specialties across the state. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Animal Care Technician
Animal Care Technician (ACT)
Northwoods Humane Society
Wyoming, MN
Position Purpose: Maintain an orderly and clean shelter environment, while fostering an environment of inclusion and accountability. These responsibilities are expected to be completed through respectful, professional, and timely conduct and communication.
Work Schedule: The workday starts at 7:30 am and lasts for 3-5 hours, depending on the number of dogs and cats we have in the building.
We are looking for availability on weekends and weekdays. Specifically Thursdays, Fridays, every other Saturdays and every other Sundays. This is a part-time position with 2-4shifts per week.
Accountability:
Reports to: Shelter Manager
Directly Supervises: None
Indirect Oversight Of: Volunteer Dog Walkers and Cat Socializers
Budget: N/A
Participate as a collaborative member of Northwoods Humane Society:
1. Actively participate as a member of NHS’s team
2. Follow NHS policies, procedures and protocols
3. Ensure animal welfare is promoted and maintained
4. Tolerate the environment of the shelter, both inside and outside
5. Represent NHS in a professional manner when dealing with staff, volunteers, outside organizations, agencies, individuals and the public. Reflect a good public image for NHS at all times and be of service to the area’s people and animals
6. Seek opportunities to network with colleagues to focus on positive, collaborative outcomes
7. Observe conditions within the organization and make suggestions and recommendations for change or improvements.
8. Work cooperatively with others and share responsibilities as directed
9. Maintain regular, constructive, respectful communication with all colleagues, volunteers and customers
10. Report animal health or behavioral concerns following proper procedures
11. Participate in NHS program evaluation activities as directed
12. Adhere to set work schedule and follow policies regarding time off and missing shifts
13. Report to work on time and utilize work time effectively to fulfill position tasks
14. Submit time cards to supervisor as directed
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Continue with care of animals, kennel cleaning and building cleaning until completion
2. Place surrendered/stray animals in appropriate kennels, setting up as needed
3. Move animals within the building based on protocols or requests from Supervisor
4. Inventory supplies as needed
5. Sort and distribute donations delivered to NHS
Qualifications (Required):
- Comfortable working with dogs and cats
- Commitment to the objectives of the organization
- Must demonstrate effective, proactive verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work on own initiative and meet deadlines through strong organizational skills, human relations, and communication skills
- Must demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to change, strong organizational skills with a process-improvement mindset and the ability to effectively prioritize workload
- Ability to foster a collaborative work environment, while maintaining professionalism and respect among all staff and volunteers
Qualifications (Preferred):
- High school diploma
- Experience with and knowledge of animal welfare and animal handling
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty in a satisfactory manner. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Understanding of mission, vision, goals and objectives
- Ability to inspire/motivate others
- Demonstrate skills for safety awareness in all work environments
- Self-motivation, and time management skills
- Ability to work as a team and help when co-workers need help
- Skills to manage change and ability to adjust quickly to situations
- This position can be physically demanding. The employee must be able to do the following: o Bending and stooping o Reaching o Prolonged standing o Walking o Squatting o Kneeling o Lifting up to 50 pounds o Handling dogs and cats of various sizes (leash-walking, collaring, restraining and/or lifting) o Walking on uneven ground/ramp o Climbing on step stool or ladder o Working in confined spaces'
'Work Remotely No
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $16.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
Application Question(s):
- Are you available and willing to work the days/hours in the job description?
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
Work Location: In person
See All 15 Animal Care Technician Jobs in Minnesota
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Find Animal Care Technician JobsAnimal Care Technician Jobs by City in Minnesota
Where Minnesota roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Animal Care Technician Job Market in Minnesota
A snapshot from current Minnesota openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Animal Care & Pet Services
What Minnesota Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in animal care technician jobs across Minnesota.
- AALAS certification at Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician, Technician, or Technologist level preferred or required
- Experience handling and restraining animals in a clinical, research, or shelter environment
- Knowledge of animal husbandry practices and species-specific care protocols
- Ability to observe animals for signs of illness and document findings accurately
- Familiarity with sanitation standards and facility compliance in regulated animal environments
- Physical ability to lift animals and equipment and stand for extended periods
Animal Care Technician Jobs in Minnesota: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a animal care technician in Minnesota?
Minnesota does not issue a state-specific license for animal care technicians, so the hiring path runs through nationally recognized credentials and employer requirements. Most Minnesota employers, especially in research and laboratory settings, expect or prefer American Association for Laboratory Animal Science certification at the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician or Technician level. A high school diploma or associate degree in animal science, biology, or a related field is the typical educational baseline, and hands-on experience through veterinary clinics, shelters, or university programs strengthens any application.
Which companies hire animal care technicians in Minnesota?
Companies currently hiring animal care technicians in Minnesota include Lakefield Veterinary, Christensen Farms, and NAMSA, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. The University of Minnesota and its affiliated research centers are among the most consistent sources of laboratory animal technician openings in the state.
Which Minnesota cities have the most animal care technician jobs?
Baxter, Apple Valley, and Inver Grove Heights are the Minnesota cities with the most animal care technician openings. The Twin Cities dominate because of the concentration of research universities, biomedical companies, large veterinary hospital networks, and institutions like the Minnesota Zoo, while Rochester's demand is driven largely by Mayo Clinic's extensive research and animal care operations.
Are there remote animal care technician jobs in Minnesota?
Yes, but they're rare. Animal care technician work is fundamentally hands-on, requiring direct contact with animals in clinics, labs, shelters, or facilities. About 0% of animal care technician openings tied to Minnesota are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions typically cover administrative coordination, animal behavior consulting, or compliance documentation rather than direct animal handling.
How can I get hired as a animal care technician in Minnesota with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a shelter or kennel position at a Minnesota Humane Society location or a county animal services facility, where hands-on experience accumulates quickly without prior credentials. The University of Minnesota's College of Veterinary Medicine hires animal care assistants and offers exposure to research animal facilities that can lead to AALAS-certified technician roles. Volunteering at facilities affiliated with the Minnesota Zoo or large veterinary practices in the Twin Cities builds a resume that translates directly to paid openings, and pursuing the AALAS Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician exam while working gives candidates a measurable credential edge.
Where can I find and apply to animal care technician jobs in Minnesota?
You can find and apply to animal care technician jobs in Minnesota on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the listings for roles that fit your experience level and the type of animal care setting you want, then apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 15 Animal Care Technician Jobs in Minnesota
Find roles in Minnesota that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Animal Care Technician Jobs