Animal Care Technician Jobs in Michigan
Animal Care Technician jobs in Michigan are concentrated in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Lansing, where research universities, zoo facilities, and veterinary hospital networks generate steady demand across laboratory animal care, zoo keeping, and clinical veterinary support. Major employers with a lasting presence in Michigan include Michigan State University, the Detroit Zoological Society, and Henry Ford Health, each maintaining ongoing animal care technician staffing across multiple sites and career levels. Openings range from entry-level kennel and shelter positions to senior lab animal technician roles requiring AALAS certification. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find Animal Care Technician JobsOverview
Open roles12
Top employerPet Supplies Plus
Top cityLivonia, MI
Cities hiring10
Companies hiring5
Showing 5 of 12+ Animal Care Technician jobs
Animal Care Technician
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Added 3d ago
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Animal Care Technician
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Added 3d ago
Store Team Member (Cashier, Stocker, Animal Care)
We won't show you this job again
Added 6d ago
Pet Supplies Plus
Store Team Member (Cashier, Stocker, Animal Care)
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Added 6d ago
Store Team Member (Cashier, Stocker, Animal Care)
We won't show you this job again
Added 1w ago
Pet Supplies Plus
Store Team Member (Cashier, Stocker, Animal Care)
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Added 1w ago
Animal Care Technician
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Added 1w ago
Village Pet Care
Animal Care Technician
Okemos, Michigan
Added 1w ago
Animal Care Technician
We won't show you this job again
Added 1w ago
Humane Society of Huron Valley
Animal Care Technician
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Added 1w ago
Added 3d ago
Animal Care Technician
Kalamazoo Nature Center·Kalamazoo, Michigan
Job functions:
$16 - $18/hr
11-50 employees
Job Description
Title: Animal Care Technician
Supervisor’s Title: Animal Ambassador Manager
Classification: Part-Time, Year-Round, Non-exempt
Compensation: $16-18 per hour
Schedule: 15-20 hours a week, typically business hours with some weekend, evening, or holiday shifts as needed
Benefits:
- Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, and personal days)
- 7 paid holidays off
- Paid snow days off during severe weather
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for counseling and support services
- Simple IRA with a 3% match for retirement savings
- Additional KNC Specific benefits
The Kalamazoo Nature Center (KNC) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create relationships and experiences that welcome and inspire people to discover, enjoy, value, and care for nature. Recognized by its peers as one of the top nature centers in the country, the Kalamazoo Nature Center is located on 1,500 acres of wooded, rolling countryside and includes over 15 miles of hiking trails winding through some of the most magnificent habitats in Michigan.
Because we value the strength diversity brings to the workplace, the Kalamazoo Nature Center is committed to the recruitment, retention, and development of a workforce that reflects the community in which we live.
Job Summary:
The Kalamazoo Nature Center’s (KNC) animal ambassador programs’ primary goal is to ensure a high quality of life for all animals in our care as well as to provide the best animal experiences for members and visitors with animal safety and well-being at the forefront. The Animal Care Technician is a year-round, part-time position who works with the Animal Ambassador Manager to care for: reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, small mammals, and birds. This person’s responsibilities include maintaining a clean and organized Animal Care Room and upkeep of enclosures for ambassador and feeder animals. There will be opportunities for animal training for program behaviors and cooperative care. Educational programming with ambassador animals is required as needed. This person may train, guide, and coordinate with volunteers and other staff working in this area. The position will run approximately 15-20 hours per week with weekend shifts and holidays as needed.
Animal Care Responsibilities (95%):
- Maintain all animal enclosures including: aquatic tanks, bioactive enclosures, mammal and bird enclosures, feeder invertebrate enclosures, and other animal spaces as they are added.
- Maintain cleanliness and organization of the Animal Care Room.
- Assist in developing new animal exhibits as needed with the Animal Ambassador Manager.
- Troubleshoot (with help from the Animal Ambassador Manager) non-functioning animal enclosure components.
- Perform daily visual health checks on all live animals.
- Provide appropriate training and direction to animal care volunteers and KNC staff on daily care and safe, empathy-driven animal programming. Animals will be handled and cared for according to the guidelines handed down by federal, state, and local regulations and as written in KNC’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Keep detailed records for daily care, enclosure maintenance, state and federal permits, and animal wellbeing.
- Research up-to-date animal care information regarding diets, enclosures, husbandry, training, and other best practices as new information is shared within the animal care community.
- Create, implement, and revise safe enrichment to all ambassador species to promote natural behaviors and positive well-being.
- Provide choice-based positive reinforcement training to ambassador animals for programming behaviors and cooperative care opportunities.
Animal Programming Responsibilities (5%):
- Recall each animal’s individual story and species natural history.
- Understand and thoughtfully interpret animal ambassadors’ natural history, behavior, and conservation needs with empathy and evidence-based information at a level appropriate for the age group.
- Interact professionally with visitors of all ages and abilities to interpret KNC's Animal Ambassador Program.
- As needed, provide support to the Education Team by transporting, handling, and teaching with animal ambassadors during visitor programs.
- Assist other departments with programs, special events, special projects, etc. as necessary.
All Staff Responsibilities:
- Attend required events and meetings such as: Maple Sugar Festival, Quarterly All Staff Meetings, and All Staff Workdays.
- Other duties as assigned.
Preferred Skills/Abilities:
- Demonstrate understanding of principles of wildlife and ambassador animal husbandry.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills as well as creativity.
- Ability to work independently and take initiative with animal care needs.
- Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
- Ability to function well in a high-paced / high-pressure moments.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
Education and Experience:
- At least one year related experience required working with birds of prey, reptiles, amphibians, and/or small mammals or degree in a related field.
- Experience with positive reinforcement training and operant conditioning.
- Experience leading educational programs for all ages.
- Experience maintaining living and non-living exhibits.
Working Conditions:
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Prolonged periods of bending, crouching, and reaching.
- Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at times.
- Must be able to hold up to a 20lb animal up to an hour.
- Must be comfortable with significant time outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
- Must be comfortable interacting with visitors of varying ages and abilities.
- Must be comfortable working in environments with varying volume levels.
- Must be comfortable working with aquatic tanks and water features for prolonged periods.
- Short notice shifts may arise due to Animal Care needs.
- Must have a valid driver’s license and ability to be insured under KNC’s automobile policy.
- Must pass pre-employment background check.
The Kalamazoo Nature Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
This job description is not exhaustive and may be subject to change or modification at any time.
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Animal Care Technician
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Added 3d ago11-50 employees
Job functions:
$16 - $18/hr
Job Description
Title: Animal Care Technician
Supervisor’s Title: Animal Ambassador Manager
Classification: Part-Time, Year-Round, Non-exempt
Compensation: $16-18 per hour
Schedule: 15-20 hours a week, typically business hours with some weekend, evening, or holiday shifts as needed
Benefits:
- Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, and personal days)
- 7 paid holidays off
- Paid snow days off during severe weather
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for counseling and support services
- Simple IRA with a 3% match for retirement savings
- Additional KNC Specific benefits
The Kalamazoo Nature Center (KNC) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create relationships and experiences that welcome and inspire people to discover, enjoy, value, and care for nature. Recognized by its peers as one of the top nature centers in the country, the Kalamazoo Nature Center is located on 1,500 acres of wooded, rolling countryside and includes over 15 miles of hiking trails winding through some of the most magnificent habitats in Michigan.
Because we value the strength diversity brings to the workplace, the Kalamazoo Nature Center is committed to the recruitment, retention, and development of a workforce that reflects the community in which we live.
Job Summary:
The Kalamazoo Nature Center’s (KNC) animal ambassador programs’ primary goal is to ensure a high quality of life for all animals in our care as well as to provide the best animal experiences for members and visitors with animal safety and well-being at the forefront. The Animal Care Technician is a year-round, part-time position who works with the Animal Ambassador Manager to care for: reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, small mammals, and birds. This person’s responsibilities include maintaining a clean and organized Animal Care Room and upkeep of enclosures for ambassador and feeder animals. There will be opportunities for animal training for program behaviors and cooperative care. Educational programming with ambassador animals is required as needed. This person may train, guide, and coordinate with volunteers and other staff working in this area. The position will run approximately 15-20 hours per week with weekend shifts and holidays as needed.
Animal Care Responsibilities (95%):
- Maintain all animal enclosures including: aquatic tanks, bioactive enclosures, mammal and bird enclosures, feeder invertebrate enclosures, and other animal spaces as they are added.
- Maintain cleanliness and organization of the Animal Care Room.
- Assist in developing new animal exhibits as needed with the Animal Ambassador Manager.
- Troubleshoot (with help from the Animal Ambassador Manager) non-functioning animal enclosure components.
- Perform daily visual health checks on all live animals.
- Provide appropriate training and direction to animal care volunteers and KNC staff on daily care and safe, empathy-driven animal programming. Animals will be handled and cared for according to the guidelines handed down by federal, state, and local regulations and as written in KNC’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Keep detailed records for daily care, enclosure maintenance, state and federal permits, and animal wellbeing.
- Research up-to-date animal care information regarding diets, enclosures, husbandry, training, and other best practices as new information is shared within the animal care community.
- Create, implement, and revise safe enrichment to all ambassador species to promote natural behaviors and positive well-being.
- Provide choice-based positive reinforcement training to ambassador animals for programming behaviors and cooperative care opportunities.
Animal Programming Responsibilities (5%):
- Recall each animal’s individual story and species natural history.
- Understand and thoughtfully interpret animal ambassadors’ natural history, behavior, and conservation needs with empathy and evidence-based information at a level appropriate for the age group.
- Interact professionally with visitors of all ages and abilities to interpret KNC's Animal Ambassador Program.
- As needed, provide support to the Education Team by transporting, handling, and teaching with animal ambassadors during visitor programs.
- Assist other departments with programs, special events, special projects, etc. as necessary.
All Staff Responsibilities:
- Attend required events and meetings such as: Maple Sugar Festival, Quarterly All Staff Meetings, and All Staff Workdays.
- Other duties as assigned.
Preferred Skills/Abilities:
- Demonstrate understanding of principles of wildlife and ambassador animal husbandry.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills as well as creativity.
- Ability to work independently and take initiative with animal care needs.
- Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
- Ability to function well in a high-paced / high-pressure moments.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
Education and Experience:
- At least one year related experience required working with birds of prey, reptiles, amphibians, and/or small mammals or degree in a related field.
- Experience with positive reinforcement training and operant conditioning.
- Experience leading educational programs for all ages.
- Experience maintaining living and non-living exhibits.
Working Conditions:
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Prolonged periods of bending, crouching, and reaching.
- Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at times.
- Must be able to hold up to a 20lb animal up to an hour.
- Must be comfortable with significant time outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
- Must be comfortable interacting with visitors of varying ages and abilities.
- Must be comfortable working in environments with varying volume levels.
- Must be comfortable working with aquatic tanks and water features for prolonged periods.
- Short notice shifts may arise due to Animal Care needs.
- Must have a valid driver’s license and ability to be insured under KNC’s automobile policy.
- Must pass pre-employment background check.
The Kalamazoo Nature Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
This job description is not exhaustive and may be subject to change or modification at any time.
See All 12 Animal Care Technician Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Animal Care Technician JobsAnimal Care Technician Jobs by City in Michigan
Where Michigan roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Livonia
2 jobsAnn Arbor
2 jobsNovi
1 jobOkemos
1 jobWarren
1 jobBrighton
1 jobKalamazoo
1 jobYpsilanti
1 jobAllen Park
1 jobSaint Clair Shores
1 jobAnimal Care Technician Job Market in Michigan
A snapshot from current Michigan openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Michigan Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in animal care technician jobs across Michigan.
- AALAS certification at ALAT, LAT, or LATG level preferred or required
- Experience handling and restraining a variety of animal species safely
- Ability to monitor animal health and accurately document observations
- Familiarity with standard husbandry practices including feeding and sanitation
- Physical ability to lift animals and equipment weighing up to fifty pounds
- Comfort working in environments with noise, allergens, and biohazardous materials
Animal Care Technician Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a animal care technician in Michigan?
Michigan does not require a state-issued license specifically for animal care technicians, so the path centers on education and voluntary certification. Most employers expect at minimum a high school diploma or GED, though an associate or bachelor's degree in veterinary technology, animal science, or biology strengthens candidates significantly. Earning American Association for Laboratory Animal Science certification, offered at the ALAT, LAT, or LATG level, is the most recognized credential in Michigan's research and laboratory sector and gives candidates a clear advantage in competitive markets.
Which companies hire animal care technicians in Michigan?
Companies currently hiring animal care technicians in Michigan include Pet Supplies Plus, DESORT STAFFING, and Village Pet Care, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Michigan's concentration of research universities, zoological institutions, and large health systems means demand is distributed across academic, nonprofit, and clinical employer types throughout the state.
Which Michigan cities have the most animal care technician jobs?
Livonia, Ann Arbor, and Novi have the most animal care technician openings in Michigan. Detroit leads because of its dense network of health systems and proximity to major research facilities, while Grand Rapids draws demand from its growing biomedical and veterinary clinic sector, and Lansing benefits from Michigan State University's extensive animal research and veterinary medicine programs anchoring hiring in that market.
How can I get hired as a animal care technician in Michigan with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through volunteer or paid work at a Michigan humane society, county animal shelter, or wildlife rehabilitation center, which builds hands-on handling experience employers recognize. Michigan State University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Detroit-area veterinary practices frequently hire kennel assistants and animal care aides as stepping-stone roles. Completing an AALAS-approved training program and pursuing the entry-level ALAT certification while working in a shelter or clinic role gives candidates without a degree a concrete credential that differentiates them for laboratory and research positions.
Where can I find and apply to animal care technician jobs in Michigan?
You can find and apply to animal care technician jobs in Michigan on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers actively hiring across the state. Search the listings, find the roles that fit your experience and preferred location, and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 12 Animal Care Technician Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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