Animal Care Technician Jobs in Tennessee
Animal Care Technician jobs in Tennessee concentrate in veterinary clinics, animal shelters, research institutions, and zoological facilities, with openings at every level from entry-level kennel assistant to senior lab animal technician. Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville are the most active hiring markets, anchored by employers such as Banfield Pet Hospital, the University of Tennessee Veterinary Medical Center, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Demand is especially strong in laboratory animal care, companion animal medicine, and shelter and rescue operations. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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NASHVILLE ZOO PAID INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
ANIMAL CARE INTERNSHIP | Spring 2027 | 1/18/2027- 4/16/2026
Overview: Animal Care Interns will be placed in one of the following areas Aquatics, Avian, Behavioral Husbandry, Carnivore, Contact Areas, Herpetology, Hoofstock, Lorikeets, or Primates. Applicants may indicate preference of department, but final placement is assigned by the Zoo.
Interns will observe a variety of species across the Zoo, assist with daily care routines, and collect data that will help animal care professionals make evidence-based decisions regarding the animals' well-being.
TIME COMMITMENT: This is a full-time position, 30-40 hours a week, for ~12 weeks. There are no opportunities to work overtime. Start Date is 1/18/2027. End Date is 4/16/2026
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assist with daily husbandry care, including cleaning habitats, managing diets, and assisting with enrichment and training.
- Monitor animal health and behavior and report observations to animal care staff.
- Prepare diets and assist in feeding routines for select species under supervision.
- Maintain accurate records related to animal care and observations.
- Support zoo staff with habitat and facility maintenance, ensuring clean and safe environments for the animals.
- Engage in hands-on learning experiences, including enrichment design, training sessions, and animal handling (as appropriate for the species).
- Answer visitors' questions about animals and the Zoo, helping to educate the public on conservation efforts
- Complete one project highlighting intern's interest and take aways from the experience and benefitting intern's department
APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must have the ability to stand on feet for long periods and lift moderately heavy loads
- Interest in working with animals and understanding animal behavior
- This is an entry level position for those looking to gain experience in this field
- Excellent communication and organizational skills
- Willingness to learn about Nashville Zoo amenities, layout, operations, animal collection and conservation efforts
- Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds
- Must be able to work outdoors in all seasons and weather conditions.
INTERN TRAINING:
All interns will be present for New Hire Orientation, Animal Care Orientation, Education Orientation, and a 4 presentation professional development series throughout the course of their internship.
BENEFITS:
- Hourly rate of $12.50 per hour for up to 40 hours per week
- $700 living stipend for each 12-week term
- Housing provided if outside of a 40 mile radius of Nashville Zoo
- Provides opportunities to learn proper management of animals in human care
- Observe and participate in husbandry, training, and additional care for our resident animals
- Receive first-hand experience in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited institution
- Professional development series highlighting topics such as guest engagement, resume building, etc.
Pre-Employment Requirements:
- Submit to a criminal background check and drug screening.
- Provide proof of a negative TB test.
- Provide proof of a valid driver's license.
APPLICATION PROCESS – Interested candidates should complete the application HERE and attach the following documents:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- (2) Letters of Recommendation
NASHVILLE ZOO PAID INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
ANIMAL CARE INTERNSHIP | Spring 2027 | 1/18/2027- 4/16/2026
Overview: Animal Care Interns will be placed in one of the following areas Aquatics, Avian, Behavioral Husbandry, Carnivore, Contact Areas, Herpetology, Hoofstock, Lorikeets, or Primates. Applicants may indicate preference of department, but final placement is assigned by the Zoo.
Interns will observe a variety of species across the Zoo, assist with daily care routines, and collect data that will help animal care professionals make evidence-based decisions regarding the animals' well-being.
TIME COMMITMENT: This is a full-time position, 30-40 hours a week, for ~12 weeks. There are no opportunities to work overtime. Start Date is 1/18/2027. End Date is 4/16/2026
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assist with daily husbandry care, including cleaning habitats, managing diets, and assisting with enrichment and training.
- Monitor animal health and behavior and report observations to animal care staff.
- Prepare diets and assist in feeding routines for select species under supervision.
- Maintain accurate records related to animal care and observations.
- Support zoo staff with habitat and facility maintenance, ensuring clean and safe environments for the animals.
- Engage in hands-on learning experiences, including enrichment design, training sessions, and animal handling (as appropriate for the species).
- Answer visitors' questions about animals and the Zoo, helping to educate the public on conservation efforts
- Complete one project highlighting intern's interest and take aways from the experience and benefitting intern's department
APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must have the ability to stand on feet for long periods and lift moderately heavy loads
- Interest in working with animals and understanding animal behavior
- This is an entry level position for those looking to gain experience in this field
- Excellent communication and organizational skills
- Willingness to learn about Nashville Zoo amenities, layout, operations, animal collection and conservation efforts
- Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds
- Must be able to work outdoors in all seasons and weather conditions.
INTERN TRAINING:
All interns will be present for New Hire Orientation, Animal Care Orientation, Education Orientation, and a 4 presentation professional development series throughout the course of their internship.
BENEFITS:
- Hourly rate of $12.50 per hour for up to 40 hours per week
- $700 living stipend for each 12-week term
- Housing provided if outside of a 40 mile radius of Nashville Zoo
- Provides opportunities to learn proper management of animals in human care
- Observe and participate in husbandry, training, and additional care for our resident animals
- Receive first-hand experience in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited institution
- Professional development series highlighting topics such as guest engagement, resume building, etc.
Pre-Employment Requirements:
- Submit to a criminal background check and drug screening.
- Provide proof of a negative TB test.
- Provide proof of a valid driver's license.
APPLICATION PROCESS – Interested candidates should complete the application HERE and attach the following documents:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- (2) Letters of Recommendation
See All 10 Animal Care Technician Jobs in Tennessee
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Find Animal Care Technician JobsAnimal Care Technician Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Animal Care Technician Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in animal care technician jobs across Tennessee.
- AALAS certification at the ALAT, LAT, or LATG level preferred or required
- Experience handling and restraining companion, exotic, or laboratory animals safely
- Familiarity with veterinary medical records software and animal health documentation
- Ability to follow standard operating procedures for sanitation and biosafety protocols
- High school diploma or GED, with preference for veterinary or biological sciences coursework
- Physical ability to lift animals and equipment and stand for extended periods
Animal Care Technician Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a animal care technician in Tennessee?
Tennessee does not issue a state-specific license for animal care technicians, so the primary credential employers recognize is AALAS certification, which is earned by passing exams administered by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science at the ALAT, LAT, or LATG level. Most Tennessee employers, including research universities and veterinary hospitals, expect at minimum a high school diploma and hands-on animal handling experience, with preference given to candidates who hold or are actively pursuing AALAS certification or a veterinary technology associate degree.
Which companies hire animal care technicians in Tennessee?
Employers hiring animal care technicians in Tennessee right now include Pet Supplies Plus, Nashville Zoo, and Vanderbilt Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Tennessee's concentration of research universities, large veterinary hospital networks, and accredited animal shelters keeps hiring active across the state year-round.
Which Tennessee cities have the most animal care technician jobs?
Nashville, Chattanooga, and Clinton have the most animal care technician openings in Tennessee. Nashville leads because of its dense network of veterinary specialty clinics, animal shelters, and Vanderbilt's research operations, while Memphis benefits from a large shelter system and regional veterinary hospitals, and Knoxville is driven by the University of Tennessee's College of Veterinary Medicine and affiliated research facilities.
Are there remote animal care technician jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, but they're rare. Animal care technician work is inherently hands-on, requiring direct contact with animals, so the vast majority of roles are on-site. About 0% of animal care technician openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those positions are almost exclusively in roles such as telehealth veterinary coordination, animal welfare program management, or compliance and regulatory documentation.
How can I get hired as a animal care technician in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a kennel attendant or animal shelter associate role, which Tennessee shelters like the Nashville Humane Association and Memphis Animal Services regularly fill without requiring prior formal experience. Volunteering with a Tennessee shelter or wildlife rehabilitation center builds the hands-on record that clinical employers want to see. Enrolling in a veterinary assistant program at a Tennessee community college and beginning AALAS ALAT exam preparation significantly strengthens applications for laboratory and hospital positions.
Where can I find and apply to animal care technician jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to animal care technician jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current Tennessee openings updated in real time. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level and location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 10 Animal Care Technician Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Animal Care Technician Jobs