Junior Groomer

Petco; Lancaster (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in pet care is looking for a passionate Junior Pet Stylist. This entry-level role offers a unique opportunity to learn essential grooming skills in a supportive environment. You will receive hands-on training while performing grooming tasks such as bathing, nail trimming, and ear cleaning. The company emphasizes continuous development and career growth, providing all necessary supplies and equipment. If you love animals and want to start a fulfilling career in pet grooming, this is the perfect opportunity for you to make a difference in the lives of pets and their owners.

Benefits

Competitive base pay

Medical, dental, vision

401k

Paid Time Off

Petco Discounts

All necessary supplies & equipment

State of the art grooming equipment

Qualifications

• 0-1 year of animal-related experience preferred.
• Genuine passion for animals and grooming is essential.

Responsibilities

• Perform grooming services under supervision, ensuring safety and comfort of pets.
• Maintain cleanliness and hygiene of the grooming area.

Skills

Animal handling

Customer service

Grooming techniques

Communication skills

Education

High-school diploma or GED

Tools

Grooming tools

Bathing system

Job description

Create a healthier, brighter future for pets, pet parents and people!

If you want to make a real difference, create an exciting career path, feel welcome to be your whole self and nurture your wellbeing, Petco is the place for you.

Our core values capture that spirit as we work to improve lives by doing what’s right for pets, people and our planet.

• We love all pets like our own
• We’re the future of the pet industry
• We’re here to improve lives
• We drive outstanding results together
• We’re welcome as we are

Petco is a category-defining health and wellness company focused on improving the lives of pets, pet parents and Petco partners. We are 29,000 strong and operate 1,500+ pet care centers in the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, including 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics and eight distribution centers. We’re focused on purpose-driven work, and strongly believe what’s good for pets, people and our planet is good for Petco.

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.

In addition to our commitment to continuous training, development, and career growth, we also offer:

• 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 is 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.

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.