Career Exploration > Animal Careers – Jobs with Animals > Humane Educator Jobs

Humane Educator Career

In the role of a Humane Educator, it your job to promote positive interactions between humans, animals and Earth in an effort to bring about social, emotional, cognitive, and physical change.   A strong desire to promote humane and environmental education is a primary focus of individuals in this career subsector.  This focus can be directed in work environments such as shelters, zoos, museums, or agricultural extensions.  If you work in this career subsector, you may also have the job title of Manager of Humane Education Programs, Youth Program Specialist, Humane Education Associate, Community Education Specialist, or Environmental Educator.

 

Duties

  • Teach members of the public how to interact with animals in a compassionate and considerate way.
  • Integrate live animals into presentations.
  • Develop and present educational programs.
  • Teach the community about a variety of humane topics including animal welfare, animal rights, and animal behavior.
  • Visit schools, camps, and other similar educational venues.
  • Give lectures to students, supervise lab activities.
  • Perform office work.

Outlook

Median Wage 2017:  approximately $30,000 annually

The employment outlook in this career subsector is very strong with expected growth of 22% 2016-2026.

For more information

Publications

 

Academic Programs

A career as a Humane Educator may require a bachelor's degree. A background in zoology, animal behavior, animal science, can build a great foundation for anyone considering a career in this field.

To find an institution of higher education that offers a program relative to your career aspirations to become a Humane Educator, the easiest place to start for most people is to perform a simple search by area of interest.  Overall, there are certificate, associate, bachelor, and advanced degree programs in public and private postsecondary colleges and universities across the country in the following areas:

  • Zoology
  • Animal Behavior
  • Animal Science
  • Environmental Ethics
  • Animal Protection

 

Use the link provided below and the ‘Browse for Program’ button to search by program area:

Find a College | Career Exploration

Note  The Humane Society of the United States offers a Certified Humane Education Specialist (CHES) program to enhance the humane educator credential.