Dog Grooming Instructor

Pawsperity; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Employee assistance program

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Job summary

Pawsperity in Kansas City, MO is seeking a passionate Grooming Instructor to lead hands-on training for up to 40 students, covering dog handling safety, bathing, brushing, clipper work, scissoring, finishing, and more. You will follow the established curriculum under the Director of Grooming.

The role emphasizes mentoring, documenting progress, and assessing student performance while maintaining animal safety. Typical schedule includes Monday half-day plus Tue-Fri mornings.

Qualifications

• 3 years professional dog grooming experience; 5 years strongly preferred.
• Canine CPR and First Aid Certification strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of current pet grooming industry standards, tools, and equipment.
• Strong understanding of grooming techniques, breed standards, and animal care practices.
• Effective communication skills to explain grooming concepts clearly and patiently.
• Ability to mentor and support students of varying skill levels.

Responsibilities

• Train students with barriers to entering the job market toward becoming certified professional dog groomers.
• Teach a range of grooming techniques including bathing, brushing, trimming, styling, nail clipping, ear cleaning, and other essential skills.
• Provide hands-on grooming experience by supervising students' work, giving constructive feedback, and promoting skill improvement.
• Ensure the safety and well‑being of all animals used in training sessions.
• Independently track, document, and monitor student skill progression within program timelines.
• Conduct and submit student assessments, grades, and progress reports.

Skills

Dog grooming

Canine CPR

Communication

Mentoring

Record keeping

Education

Dog grooming certification

Tools

Grooming tools

Job description

About Pawsperity

Since 2016, Pawsperity has been helping uplift families from generational poverty through job training in the art of dog grooming. Pawsperity serves some of the community’s most vulnerable members, including individuals often coming from backgrounds of domestic violence, addiction, incarceration, and homelessness.

Position Overview

We are seeking a passionate and skilled Grooming Instructor to join our team. The ideal candidate will model professionalism and provide a safe, educational environment for up to 40 students. Areas of instruction include dog handling safety, bathing, brushing, clipper work, scissor work, finishing, and more. Grooming instructors will work under the guidance of the Director of Grooming and follow established curriculum and teaching methodologies.

Schedule: Monday: 4 hours Tuesday - Fridays: 7:30am - 4:30pm
Salary Range: $58,000-$65,000 DOE.

Key Responsibilities:

• Train students with multiple barriers to entering the job market, guiding them toward becoming certified professional dog groomers.
• Teach a range of grooming techniques, including bathing, brushing, trimming, styling, nail clipping, ear cleaning, and other essential pet care skills.
• Provide hands-on grooming experience by supervising students' work, offering constructive feedback, and promoting skill improvement.
• Ensure the safety and well‑being of all animals used in training sessions.
• Independently track, document, and monitor student skill progression within program timelines.
• Conduct and submit student assessments, grades, and progress reports.

Minimum Requirements:

• Professional Dog Grooming Experience: 3 years required; 5 years strongly preferred.
• Canine CPR and First Aid Certification: Strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of current pet grooming industry standards, tools, and equipment.
• Strong understanding of grooming techniques, breed standards, and animal care practices.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to explain grooming concepts clearly and patiently.
• Ability to mentor and support students of varying skill levels.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to high grooming standards.
• Basic computer skills for record‑keeping and lesson planning.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Dental insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Pawsperity: Kansas City, MO 64110 (no candidates outside the Kansas City area please)