Animal Trainer Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $61,984.00 - $69,076.80 Annually
Location : Department of Public Works, City of Livonia, MI
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 1280 o.c.
Department: Public Service Animal Control
Opening Date: 08/21/2026
Closing Date: 9/7/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
The City of Livonia is an Equal Opportunity Employer
SALARY INFORMATION
$61,984.00 - $69,076.80 Annually

• Starting Salary: $61,984.00
• After Six Months of Successful Employment: $65,832.00
• After One Year of Successful Employment: $67,163.20
• Maximum salary is achieved after three successful years of employment.

NOTE: Annual salary adjustments may also occur, based on collective bargaining agreements.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
The Animal Control Officer, under the direction of the Director of Public Works, Assistant Director of Public Works, and Superintendent of Public Works, is responsible for providing animal control services for residents and businesses. This employee may have overtime work, as needed, and is subject to call-in hours outside of normal working hours.
Illustrative Examples of Work:

• Responds to requests for service and complaints about issues such as animals at large, abandoned animals, vicious animals, barking dogs, animal bites, cruelty complaints, sick or injured animals, public nuisances, etc.
• Enforces City ordinance and State law as it relates to animal control and public health
• Issues citations, prepares reports, conducts investigations, testifies in court, and impounds animals, as required
• Patrols neighborhoods, businesses, and school yards for animal-related concerns
• Conducts inspections of kennels, pet stores, and dangerous dog locations under City ordinance 6.01.430, and issues required licenses.
• Professionally handles and secures sick, injured, diseased, or aggressive animals across species, including domestic pets, livestock, wildlife, exotics, and reptiles.
• Utilizes work management software to maintain records related to the operation of the section
• Promotes positive community relationships and may be asked to participate in outreach activities and public events
• Completes special projects or assignments, as required
• Various related duties, as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND APPLICATION PROCESS
By the closing date of this announcement, an applicant must:

1. Be a citizen of the United States or resident alien with the right to work in the United States; and
2. Have a high school diploma or valid equivalency certificate; and
3. Have a bachelor's degree, or higher, with emphasis in Animal Behavior, Animal Studies, Animal Science, Criminal Justice, Public Safety, Animal Law, or closely related field preferred; and
4. Possess and maintain a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record; and
5. Must be able to pursue, restrain, and lift animals up to 80 lbs.; and
6. Have or be able to meet the State of Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Animal Control Officer requirements, and training in Michigan within 180 days of hire; and
7. Must be able to successfully complete, and maintain, humane euthanasia, and animal field sedation certification within 180 days of hire; and
8. Have experience in one, or more, of the following areas:
   • Work as an Animal Control Officer for a township, municipality, or county
   • Regulatory inspection of animal care facilities;
   • Veterinary or shelter medicine;
   • Direct responsibility for the care and upkeep of animals;
   • Professional animal handling or training through an accredited organization; and
9. Have or be able to receive the rabies vaccination.

PARTS OF EXAMINATION AND WEIGHTS
Interview - 100%
NOTE: In the event the number of qualified applicants exceeds ten, an evaluation will be made, and the ten applicants with the most appropriate and responsible combination of experience and training will be invited to the interview. Candidates must pass the interview in order to be placed on the eligible list.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:

• Law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment
• Animal restraint and care techniques

Skill in:

• Operating the following tools and equipment: patrol vehicle, animal capture equipment, police radio, side handle baton, handcuffs, pager, first aid equipment, and personal computer

Ability to:

• Learn the applicable laws, ordinances, and department rules and regulations
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, peers, supervisors, and the public
• Exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions
• Follow verbal and written instructions
• Learn the City's geography

NOTE: At the time of appointment, applicants are required to pass a pre-employment medical examination conducted by a physician authorized by the City of Livonia.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this examination is to establish an eligible list to fill current, future, regular, and/or temporary vacancies.
HOW TO APPLY: Applications can be completed anytime online at If work experience and/or specific skills are listed as qualifications, it will be the responsibility of the applicant to describe their experience and/or skills sufficiently in the Education and Work Experience sections of the application so that it may be determined if they meet the stated qualifications. Applicants who do not comply will be disqualified from further consideration. Attachments or resumes are not accepted in place of completing the information requested on the official application. Applicants will be notified by e-mail of the next steps in the examination process.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Appointees must satisfactorily complete a six-month probationary period before the appointment will be considered regular.
The following is a brief overview of the benefits offered for this position. A new employee orientation will occur for each new, regular employee and will include detailed information about the benefit offerings. The benefits listed below are for full-time employees. Part-time employees are eligible for benefits but the amount of benefit will differ from what is listed below.
PAID TIME OFF
Employees receive vacation and sick time based on their years of service. New employees accrue vacation and sick time at a rate of eight hours per month. Upon completion of the six-month probationary period, employees are also entitled to four personal business days each year.
There are fourteen paid holidays each calendar year: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve.
MEDICAL BENEFITS
Medical and prescription drug coverage is offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. An employee has the choice between four plans and pays a monthly premium determined annually during each open-enrollment period which is in January of each year. New employees are eligible for medical coverage the first of the month following 30 days of employment.
The City also allows full-time employees who have health insurance through another provider to opt out of the City's medical coverage and receive $1,000 per year (paid monthly) in lieu of coverage.
DENTAL & VISION
Dental and vision insurance are also available for regular employees through Delta Dental and EyeMed, respectively. The employee pays a monthly premium determined annually during each open-enrollment period which is in January of each year. New employees are eligible for these insurances the first of the month following employment.
LIFE INSURANCE
The City covers the premium of a Life Insurance policy in the amount of one times the annual base salary plus $2,000.00 for full-time employees. Coverage begins the first of the month following 30 days of employment.
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
The City offers a Defined Contribution (401a) plan which is currently administered by Empower Retirement. Employees contribute 4.5% with a contribution rate of 13% from the City. Contributions for new employees begin six months from the date of hire. The City's contributions and earnings on those contributions are vested after four years of service.
Employees who wish to contribute more than 4.5% can open a Deferred Compensation (457) plan which is also administered by Empower Retirement.
RETIREMENT HEALTH SAVINGS PLAN
The City has established a Retirement Health Savings Plan for employees to assist with healthcare related costs in retirement. The Employee contributes 2% of their pay and the City contributes $100 per paycheck to this Plan. The City's contributions and earnings on those contributions are vested after four years of service.
CLOTHING VOUCHER
Each regular, general employee who does not otherwise receive a clothing allowance and has completed the six-month probationary period is eligible for a $125 clothing voucher each fiscal year to purchase departmental-approved clothing.
JACK E. KIRKSEY RECREATION CENTER MEMBERSHIP
All regular employees are eligible for a complimentary membership to the Jack E. Kirksey Recreation Center. Employees may also pay the difference in cost to upgrade their membership to add additional members of their household.
VOLUNTARY SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFITS
Employees are eligible to enroll in the City's voluntary supplemental benefit program which offers accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and short-term disability coverage along with, identity theft protection and legal assistance.
01
Do you have a bachelor's degree, or higher, with emphasis in Animal Behavior, Animal Studies, Animal Science, Criminal Justice, Public Safety, Animal Law, or a closely related field?

• Yes
• No

02
Do you possess and can you maintain a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record?

• Yes
• No

03
Are you able to pursue, restrain, and lift animals up to 80 pounds?

• Yes
• No

04
Do you have or are you able to meet the State of Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Animal Control Officer requirements, and training in Michigan within 180 days of hire?

• Yes
• No

05
Are you able to successfully complete, and maintain, humane euthanasia, and animal field sedation certification within 180 days of hire?

• Yes
• No

06
I have a minimum of 2 years of experience in (please select all that apply from the following list):

• Work as an Animal Control Officer for a township, municipality, or county or state agency.
• Regulatory inspection of animal care facilities;
• Veterinary or shelter medicine.
• Direct responsibility for the care and upkeep of animals.
• Professional animal handling or training through an accredited organization
• I do not have a minimum of 2 years experience in any of these areas.

07
Do you have, or are you able to receive, the rabies vaccination?

• Yes
• No

Required Question