Groomer

About Petco

Petco is where pets go and where pet people go, dedicated to improving lives by doing what’s right for pets and people. With more than 60 years of experience, Petco operates over 1,500 stores across the U.S., Mexico, and Puerto Rico, alongside 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics, and eight distribution centers. Founded in 1999, Petco Love has helped find homes for approximately 7 million animals through in-store adoption events.

About the role

As a Pet Stylist at Petco, you will provide professional grooming services to valued customers' pets, ensuring each pet receives exceptional care and leaves looking and feeling their best.

Responsibilities

• Perform professional grooming services including bathing, drying, brushing, haircuts and styling, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning according to pet parent instructions and breed standards
• Operate and maintain grooming instruments such as clippers, blades, shears, brushes, and dryers
• Prioritize the well-being and safety of every animal, monitor for signs of discomfort, illness, or injury, and report concerns to pet owners and store management
• Evaluate individual pet needs, considering coat type, skin conditions, and temperament
• Interact professionally with pet parents, provide optimal customer service, address inquiries, and offer grooming recommendations
• Educate pet parents on grooming maintenance and at-home care practices and products
• Maintain a clean and safe grooming area, disinfect and sanitize tools and equipment, and perform daily and weekly cleaning duties in adherence to hygiene and sanitation policies
• Utilize knowledge of Petco’s grooming policies, standards, and guidelines to ensure safety, quality, and consistency
• Train, support, and supervise entry-level trainees in the absence of a Grooming Salon Leader

Skills

• Competitive base pay
• Medical, dental, vision, and more
• 401k and more
• Paid Time Off
• Petco Discounts
• All grooming supplies and equipment provided, including brushes, nail trimmers, clippers, blades, shampoo, sprays, tools, etc.
• State-of-the-art equipment, including bathing systems, kennels, tables, and dryers
• Career development and growth opportunities, such as Grooming Salon Leader, Grooming Mentor, and Grooming Instructor

Requirements

• Successful completion of the Pet Stylist Apprentice program with Petco, or previous experience as a professional groomer and/or completion of a technical grooming training program
• High-school diploma or GED preferred, though not required
• Ability to work independently with latitude for problem solving in routine to moderately complex situations
• Results-driven with commitment to productivity, performance, and ownership of role
• Strong attention to detail ensuring grooming services are executed accurately and to the highest standards
• Genuine passion for animals with a desire to continue a career in pet grooming
• Expert knowledge of various dog breeds, grooming requirements, common health issues, and behaviors
• High level of proficiency in breed-specific cuts, styling techniques, and grooming standards
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for interactions with pet parents and grooming team members
• Capable of handling pets of all sizes and temperaments with care and empathy
• Available to work weekends, evenings, and holidays as required by the grooming schedule

Work Environment

The majority of job duties are conducted indoors in the grooming salon. The position requires bending, kneeling, lifting up to 30 pounds, and standing for long periods. May require exposure to heights using a two-step ladder or support tools such as vacuums. A large amount of time is spent in direct contact with pet parents and their dogs, with the remaining time spent with salon partners. The work environment can be noisy and wet.