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Animal Control Officer Trainee Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Parkway Small Animal & Exotic Hospital, Parkway ER (our overnight emergency hospital), Animal ... Oversee financial performance, including revenue growth, expense control, and profitability targets.

Welcome to Veterinary United At Veterinary United, our animal companions aren't just pets -- they ... Overseefinancial performance, including revenue growth, expense control, and profitability targets.

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Ann Arbor, MI · On-site

$62K - $64K/yr

... a Navy officer to teach "steam engineering and iron shipbuilding." Since this modest beginning ... dynamics, control and marine system integration; robotics and autonomy; yacht design; design ...

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Animal Control Officer Trainee information

See Michigan salary details

$24.8K

$41.8K

$61.4K

How much do animal control officer trainee jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for animal control officer trainee in Michigan is $41,761.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33,600.00 and $47,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How hard is it to get into animal control officer trainee?

Getting into an animal control officer trainee position typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent, a valid driver's license, and sometimes a background check. Relevant skills include good communication, physical fitness, and knowledge of animal handling; some agencies may also require or prefer certification in animal control or related fields. Competition can vary based on location and available openings, but meeting basic requirements is usually straightforward for qualified candidates.

What is the difference between Animal Control Officer Trainee vs Animal Control Officer?

AspectAnimal Control Officer TraineeAnimal Control Officer
Required CertificationsBasic animal handling and safety training, sometimes state-specific certificationsSame as trainee, plus experience and additional certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentSupervised, training-focused, fieldwork with animals and public interactionsIndependent fieldwork, enforcement, and animal rescue activities
Employer & Industry UsageEntry-level position in animal control departments, shelters, or municipal agenciesFull-time role with more responsibilities, often after completing trainee period

Animal Control Officer Trainee is an entry-level position designed to provide training and experience, while Animal Control Officer is a fully qualified role with greater responsibilities. Trainees typically work under supervision, gaining skills needed for the officer position. Both roles are essential in animal control services, with the trainee position serving as a stepping stone to becoming an officer.

What is an animal control officer trainee?

Animal Control Officer Trainees are entry-level professionals who learn how to enforce animal-related laws and regulations, respond to animal emergencies, and educate the public about responsible pet ownership. They work under the supervision of experienced officers to gain hands-on experience with animal handling, investigation, and safety procedures. Their training prepares them for a full Animal Control Officer role, where they will protect both the community and animals from harm or neglect.

What are common challenges faced by animal control officer trainees during training?

Animal Control Officer Trainees often encounter challenges such as becoming comfortable handling a wide variety of animals, some of which may be aggressive or frightened. Trainees must quickly learn local animal control laws, safe capture techniques, and proper use of equipment. Additionally, adapting to emotionally charged situations, like dealing with distressed pet owners or cases of animal cruelty, can be demanding. However, trainees are typically supported by experienced officers and receive on-the-job training to help them build confidence and competence in the field.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be an animal control officer trainee?

To thrive as an Animal Control Officer Trainee, you need a basic understanding of animal behavior, safety procedures, and usually a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with animal restraint tools, incident reporting systems, and sometimes completion of relevant training or certification programs is beneficial. Strong communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills help in interacting with the public and handling stressful situations. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring public safety, humane animal treatment, and effective enforcement of animal regulations.
What are the most commonly searched types of Animal Control Officer jobs in Michigan? The most popular types of Animal Control Officer jobs in Michigan are:
What cities in Michigan are hiring for Animal Control Officer Trainee jobs? Cities in Michigan with the most Animal Control Officer Trainee job openings:
Infographic showing various Animal Control Officer Trainee job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 5% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,761 per year, or $20.1 per hour.

Veterinary Site Leader

Veterinary United

Clinton Township, MI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday


Veterinary United rating

5.1

Company rating: 5.1 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

43rd of 52 rated veterinary


Job description

Site Leader – Lead a Dynamic Veterinary Practice

Welcome to Veterinary United

At Veterinary United, our animal companions aren’t just pets — they’re family. We’re a multi-site veterinary network serving generations of pet parents with high-quality medicine, compassionate care, and modern diagnostics including digital x-ray, ultrasound, advanced surgery, CT scanning, and exceptional wellness care.

This leadership role oversees a connected group of facilities that have served the community for many years: Parkway Small Animal & Exotic Hospital, Parkway ER (our overnight emergency hospital), Animal Activity Center, and Kitty Clinic. Together, they offer the full continuum of care — wellness, specialty, exotic, feline-exclusive, boarding, and overnight emergency — and we’re looking for a leader to help drive them into the next chapter.

We call our practice managers Site Leaders because the role is bigger than scheduling and supply orders — you lead the practice. You’ll be the strategic partner for medicine, operations, finance, people, and pet parent experience across all four facilities, working alongside the clinical and support teams at each location.

About the Role

The Site Leader plays a pivotal role in driving the success of their facilities by overseeing daily operations, leading and developing the team, ensuring exceptional patient and pet parent experiences, and promoting business growth. This position combines strategic leadership with hands-on management — balancing financial performance with a strong, engaged workplace culture.

As both an organizational and safety leader, the Site Leader is also the designated OSHA Safety Officer, responsible for maintaining a safe, compliant, and healthy work environment.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Health & Business Performance

  • Overseefinancial performance, including revenue growth, expense control, and profitability targets.
  • Monitor KPIs and operational metrics to ensure the facility meets or exceeds financial goals.
  • Collaborate with leadership on budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning.
  • Identify opportunities for service growth, new revenue streams, and operational efficiency.

Team Leadership & Culture Building

  • Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team that embodies Veterinary United’s mission and values.
  • Foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative culture that promotes engagement and accountability.
  • Conduct regular team meetings, one-on-one check-ins, and performance reviews to support development and career growth.
  • Ensure proper staffing levels and effective onboarding and training of team members.
  • Build collaborative partnerships across all leadership and departments.

Client Experience

  • Champion a client centered, team-based approach to care, ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality service.
  • Uphold standards for communication, hospitality, and follow-up to drive satisfaction and loyalty.
  • Address client feedback promptly, turning challenges into opportunities for improvement.
  • Support the medical team in maintaining excellence in patient care and operational flow.

Growth & Retention

  • Develop and execute strategies to drive client retention, attract new clients, and expand services.
  • Build strong relationships with the local community to enhance the clinic’s visibility and reputation.
  • Proactively engage with team members to improve retention and reduce turnover.
  • Partner with leadership on initiatives that support professional growth, career pathways, and work-life integration.

Compliance & Safety Oversight (OSHA Safety Officer)

  • Serve as the designated OSHA Safety Officer, ensuring adherence to OSHA standards and Veterinary United policies.
  • Oversee annual safety training and maintain OSHA documentation
  • Stay current on OSHA regulation updates and communicate changes to leadership and staff.

What We’re Looking For

  • 3–5 years of experience in a management role, including customer service experience.
  • Experience in a veterinary hospital setting in roles of increasing responsibility is strongly preferred.
  • Bachelor’s degree in business ora related field preferred but not required.
  • Demonstrated success managing multi-functional operations, including budget and labor management.
  • Strong reporting and data analysis skills — comfort working with KPIs, financial reports, and operational metrics.
  • Proven supervisory and leadership experience: coaching, developing, motivating, and holding staff accountable.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) to manage communications, reporting, and documentation.
  • Practice management software experience preferred.
  • Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and resolution skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal communication with staff and clients in a team environment.
  • Occasional night and weekend availability is required.

Core Competencies

  • Strategic and financial acumen
  • People leadership and coaching
  • Operational excellence mindset
  • Client centric service oriented
  • Business development and growth orientation
  • Change management and adaptability

What You Can Expect From Us

  • Health, vision, dental, and life insurance
  • 401(k) retirement plan
  • Paid time off
  • Discounted pet care and pet resort care
  • A culture that empowers continual learning and career growth

Our Values

Inspire — Advocate a growth mindset. Choose to be curious and help cultivate a work environment of joy.

Empower — Champion our culture of wellness and choose to be part of something bigger than yourself.

Lead — Lead with respect and a heart of kindness. Be a model of accountability for yourself and your team.

Evolve — Enhance your skill sets, advance in your career, and keep growing.

Believe — Believe in yourself, believe in your team, and believe in Veterinary United.

Synergy — Moving forward together aligned in our mission. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts and we win together.

Joy — Find meaning in the work and the people. Choose light and laughter every day, joy is something we create together.


Ready to lead the way in veterinary medicine? Apply today and help us write the next chapter of care in Macomb County.




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