Junior Groomer

Petco; Geneva (IL); On-site; USD 13,776 - 26,174; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401k

Paid Time Off

Petco Discounts

Grooming supplies provided

Job summary

Petco invites you to join its Grooming team as a Junior Pet Stylist – Grooming. You'll complete a 10-week training to build core grooming skills, then perform bathing, drying, trimming, and basic grooming under experienced stylists.

Work indoors in a pet-friendly salon, focus on safety and animal comfort, schedule appointments, and deliver friendly service to pet parents. Weekend availability is required.

Qualifications

• Basic understanding of dog breeds, behavior and grooming practices.
• Strong interpersonal skills and customer service orientation.
• Ability to learn grooming policies and safety standards.
• Availability to work weekends, evenings, and holidays if required by schedule.

Responsibilities

• Under supervision, perform limited grooming services including bathing, drying, nail trimming, brushing, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning.
• Ensure the well-being and safety of every animal in the salon.
• Interact professionally with pet parents and deliver timely grooming services.
• Maintain a clean and safe grooming area and sanitize tools.
• Schedule grooming appointments and maintain accurate grooming records.
• Learn and adhere to Petco’s grooming policies and guidelines.

Skills

Basic grooming concepts

Verbal and written communication

Animal care passion

Education

High-school diploma or GED

Job description

Job Title

Junior Pet Stylist – Grooming

Your Petco Grooming Career

Select a 10‑week training program to develop core grooming skills under experienced groomers. After training, you’ll perform basic grooming services and progress within Petco’s Grooming team.

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 and perform the following services: bathing, drying, brushing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning, alongside seasoned groomers. The role prioritizes pet comfort, safety, and well‑being while delivering optimal customer service to pet parents.

Essential Job Functions

• Under close supervision of experienced groomers, perform limited grooming services including bathing, drying, nail trimming, brushing, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning according to pet‑parent instructions and company policies.
• Ensure the well‑being and safety of every animal in the salon at all times.
• Interact professionally and effectively with pet parents, providing optimal customer service, addressing grooming‑related inquiries, and delivering timely resolution.
• Maintain a clean and safe grooming area and salon, disinfect and sanitize grooming tools and equipment, perform daily and weekly cleaning duties, and other maintenance tasks as assigned.
• 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.

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 4‑10: 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 duties are conducted indoors in the grooming salon. The position requires bending, kneeling, lifting (up to 30 lb, if necessary), and standing for long periods. It may involve exposure to heights using a two‑step ladder or other support tools (e.g., vacuums) for cleaning and maintenance duties. The work environment can be noisy and wet.

Salary Range

$10.00 – $19.50 per hour

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.