Groomer
About the Role
Petco is seeking a Pet Stylist to provide professional grooming services to customers’ pets. The role focuses on delivering high‑quality bathing, drying, brushing, haircuts, styling, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning while prioritizing pet safety, comfort, and owner satisfaction.
Responsibilities
- Perform professional grooming services—including bathing, drying, brushing, haircuts, styling, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning—according to pet‑parent instructions, breed standards, and company policies.
- 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 promptly report concerns to owners and store management.
- Evaluate each pet’s individual needs, considering coat type, skin conditions, and temperament.
- Interact professionally with pet parents, provide optimal customer service, answer grooming inquiries, offer recommendations, and resolve questions or concerns.
- Educate pet parents on grooming maintenance, at‑home care practices, and product usage to promote overall pet well‑being.
- Maintain a clean and safe grooming area: disinfect tools, sanitize equipment, perform daily and weekly cleaning duties, and handle additional tasks such as cleaning air filters, vents, and drains.
- Apply Petco’s grooming policies, standards, and guidelines to ensure safety, quality, and consistency across the salon.
- May train, support, and supervise entry‑level trainees in the absence of a Grooming Salon Leader.
- Complete additional tasks as assigned by the Grooming Salon Leader, Solutions Manager, or Store General Manager.
Requirements
- Successful completion of the Pet Stylist Apprentice program with Petco, or prior experience as a professional groomer with a technical grooming training program.
- High‑school diploma or GED preferred (not required).
- Ability to exercise independent judgment and problem‑solving using grooming skills, with guidance as needed.
- Results‑driven attitude with commitment to productivity, performance, and ownership of the grooming salon role.
- Strong attention to detail to ensure grooming services meet the highest standards.
- Genuine passion for animals and desire to build a career in pet grooming.
- Expert knowledge of various dog breeds, grooming requirements, common health issues, and behaviors.
- High proficiency in breed‑specific cuts, styling techniques, and grooming standards.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interactions with pet parents and team members.
- Capability to handle pets of all sizes and temperaments with care and empathy.
- Availability to work weekends, evenings, and holidays as required by the grooming schedule.
Work Environment
The position is primarily indoors in the grooming salon. Duties require bending, kneeling, lifting up to 30 pounds, and standing for long periods. Occasionally, the associate may work at heights using a two‑step ladder or other support tools (e.g., vacuums) for cleaning and maintenance. The environment can be noisy and wet, with frequent direct contact with pet parents and their dogs, as well as collaboration with other salon partners.
Pay
Salary Range: $15.00 – $23.00 hourly (actual rate depends on location, experience, and applicable minimum‑wage laws).
Benefits
- Competitive base pay
- Medical, dental, vision coverage
- 401(k) plan
- Paid Time Off
- Petco employee discounts
- All necessary grooming supplies and equipment (brushes, nail trimmers, clippers, blades, shampoo, sprays, tools, etc.)
- State‑of‑the‑art grooming equipment (bathing system, kennels, tables, dryers)
- Career development opportunities, including Grooming Salon Leader, Grooming Mentor, and Grooming Instructor pathways