Junior Groomer

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc.; Westminster (MD); On-site; USD 13,776 - 26,863; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base pay

Medical, dental, vision

401k

Paid Time Off

Petco Discounts

All supplies & equipment needed

State-of-the-art equipment

Job summary

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. is hiring a Junior Pet Stylist in Westminster, Maryland. This role involves a ten-week training period to learn essential grooming tasks such as bathing, drying, and nail trimming, alongside seasoned groomers.

The ideal candidate will ensure pets' safety and comfort while providing excellent customer service. Opportunities for a rewarding career in grooming await those passionate about animals.

Benefits include competitive pay, medical coverage, and paid time off.

Qualifications

• 0-1 year of animal-related experience, prior grooming salon assistance preferred.
• High-school diploma or GED preferred.
• Genuine passion for animals and 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.
• Availability to work weekends, evenings, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Learn to perform bathing, drying, brushing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning.
• Ensure the well-being and safety of every animal in the salon.
• Interact professionally with pet parents and provide optimal customer service.
• Maintain a clean and safe grooming area.
• Schedule grooming appointments and manage paperwork.
• Learn and adhere to Petco’s grooming policies and standards.

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, our industry leading program develops essential grooming skills and sets the foundation for future career with Petco Grooming.

Responsibilities

The Junior Pet Stylist’s primary purpose is to learn how to perform bathing, drying, brushing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning, and to assist in the grooming process while prioritizing the comfort, safety, and well‑being of the pets and delivering optimal customer services to pet parents.

• 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 company policies.
• 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 inquiries and provide timely resolution.
• Maintain a clean and safe grooming area and salon; disinfect and sanitize tools; perform daily and weekly cleaning duties, including 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.

Training Program Outline

• Weeks 1‑3: Learning and On‑the‑Job Training
  • Learn dog behavior, pet and self‑safety, 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 and Experience

• 0‑1 year of animal‑related experience (shelter volunteering or pet sitting); prior grooming salon assistance preferred.
• High‑school diploma or GED preferred, though not required.
• Genuine passion for animals and 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 grooming schedule.

Work Environment

The majority of duties are conducted indoors in the grooming salon. The position requires bending, kneeling, lifting (up to 30 pounds), and standing for long periods. It may require exposure to heights using a ladder or other support tools. The job environment can be noisy and wet.

Benefits

• Competitive base pay
• Medical, dental, vision and more
• 401k and more
• Paid Time Off
• Petco Discounts
• All supplies & equipment needed
• State‑of‑the‑art equipment

Compensation

Salary Range: $10.00 – $19.50 per hour.

Petco 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.