Junior Groomer

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc.; Chesapeake (VA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base pay

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401k plan

Paid Time Off

Petco Discounts

All necessary grooming supplies and equipment

State-of-the-art grooming equipment

Job summary

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. in Chesapeake, Virginia, invites candidates to apply for the Junior Pet Stylist position. This role offers a comprehensive ten-week training program where you will learn essential grooming skills under the guidance of experienced groomers.

As a Junior Pet Stylist, you'll assist in grooming services while prioritizing the comfort and safety of the pets. Perfect for those passionate about animals and seeking a rewarding career in pet grooming.

Qualifications

• 0-1 year of animal-related experience, including shelter volunteering.
• Genuine passion for animals and a desire to pursue a career in pet grooming.
• Availability to work weekends, evenings, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Perform limited grooming services including bathing and nail trimming.
• Ensure the well-being and safety of every animal in the salon.
• Interact professionally with pet parents and provide superior customer service.

Skills

Animal-related experience

Effective communication skills

Handling pets of all sizes

Education

High-school diploma or GED

Job description

Your Petco Grooming Career

Begin your Petco journey as a Junior Pet Stylist in Grooming!

During this ten-week training period as a Junior Pet Stylist, you will learn fundamental grooming tasks such as brushing, bathing, drying, cutting nails, and more! Gaining hands‑on experience with guidance from seasoned groomers, our industry‑leading program is designed to develop essential grooming skills and set the foundation for your future career with Petco Grooming.

Benefits

• Competitive base pay
• Medical, dental, vision and more
• 401k and more
• Paid Time Off
• Petco Discounts
• All the supplies & equipment you need, including brushes, nail trimmers, clippers, blades, shampoo, sprays, tools, etc.
• State‑of‑the‑art equipment, including bathing system, kennels, tables, and dryers

Purpose

The Junior Pet Stylist’s primary purpose is to learn how to perform the following services: bathing, drying, brushing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning, alongside seasoned groomers. In addition to bathing and drying services, the Junior Pet Stylist will assist in the grooming process, prioritizing the comfort, safety, and well‑being of the pets in our care and delivering optimal customer services to pet parents. This is an excellent opportunity for those passionate about animals and grooming to start their career in the pet care industry.

Essential Job Functions

The incumbent must be able to consistently perform all the following duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Under close supervision of experienced groomers, perform limited grooming services including bathing, drying, nail trimming, brushing, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning according to the pet parents’ instructions and in adherence to company policies and procedures
• Ensure the well‑being and safety of every animal in the salon at all times
• Interact professionally and effectively with pet parents, provide optimal customer service, address grooming‑related inquiries and provide timely resolution
• Maintain a clean and safe grooming area and salon, disinfect and sanitize grooming tools and equipment, perform daily and weekly cleaning duties in the salon and in adherence to Petco hygiene and sanitation policies, other cleaning and maintenance tasks as assigned, including but not limited to cleaning air filters, vents, and drains
• Schedule grooming appointments, manage paperwork, and maintain accurate grooming records
• Learn and adhere to Petco’s grooming policies, standards, and guidelines to ensure safety, quality, and consistency in all activities and areas of the grooming business

Training Program Outline

• Weeks 1-3: Learning and On‑the‑Job Training
  • Learn dog behavior, pet and self‑safety, proper check‑in/out procedures, customer service, grooming policies, and begin on‑the‑job training in bathing and drying techniques
• Weeks 3-10: Performing and Achieving Productivity
  • Perform bathing and walk‑in services while achieving weekly productivity goals

Education/Experience

• 0-1 year of animal‑related experience, including shelter volunteering or pet sitting; prior grooming salon assistance preferred
• High‑school diploma or GED is preferred, though not required
• Genuine passion for animals and a desire to pursue a career in pet grooming
• Basic understanding of dog breeds, behavior, and common grooming practices
• Capable of handling pets of all sizes and temperaments with care and empathy
• Effective verbal and written communication skills for interactions with pet parents and grooming team members
• Availability to work weekends, evenings, and holidays, as required by the Pet Care Center’s grooming schedule

Work Environment

The majority of job duties are conducted indoors in the grooming salon. Position requires bending, kneeling, lifting (up to 30 pounds, as necessary) and standing for long periods of time. Position may require exposure to heights using a two‑step ladder or other support tools, such as vacuums, to perform assigned cleaning and maintenance duties. A large amount of this partner’s time will be spent in direct contact with our pet parents and their dogs, and the remaining time will be with the other salon partners. The work environment can be noisy and wet.

For a more detailed overview of Petco Total Rewards, including health and financial benefits, 401K, incentives, and PTO – see https://careers.petco.com/us/en/key-benefits

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected classification.