Junior Groomer

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc.; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 13,776 - 29,618; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401k

Paid Time Off

Petco Discounts

Job summary

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. is looking for a Junior Pet Stylist in Santa Ana, California. This role involves learning essential grooming skills such as bathing and nail trimming during a comprehensive training program, ensuring quality care for pets, and delivering great customer service to pet parents.

Applicants should have a passion for animals, with prior experience preferred. The job includes performing tasks under supervision and maintaining a safe grooming environment. Petco offers competitive pay and benefits, including medical and dental coverage.

Qualifications

• 0-1 year of animal-related experience, including shelter volunteering or pet sitting.
• Basic understanding of dog breeds, behavior, and grooming practices.
• Ability to work weekends, evenings, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Perform limited grooming services under supervision.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of animals at all times.
• Maintain a clean grooming area and tools.

Skills

Customer service

Grooming techniques

Communication skills

Animal handling

Education

High-school diploma or GED (preferred)

Tools

Grooming tools (clippers, brushes)

Job description

Your Petco Grooming Career:

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

Purpose:

The Junior Pet Stylist’s primary purpose is to learn how to perform 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.

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 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
• 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 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 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.

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

Salary Range:

$10.00 - $21.50 per hour

Qualified Applicants:

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

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.