Pet Stylist: Grooming Pro with Growth Path

Petco; Fairview Heights (IL); On-site; USD 20,664 - 31,684; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base pay

Medical, dental, vision and more

401k and more

Paid Time Off

Petco Discounts

All grooming supplies and equipment

Job summary

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. is seeking a professional Pet Stylist to deliver expert grooming services, including bathing, drying, brushing, and styling, while ensuring pet safety and client satisfaction.

You will use a range of grooming tools, adhere to breed standards, and provide care recommendations to pet parents. This role requires weekend, evening, and holiday availability and offers opportunities for growth within the grooming salon.

Qualifications

• Completion of Pet Stylist Apprentice program or prior professional grooming experience.
• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Ability to problem solve and show independence with guidance when needed.
• Results-driven with focus on productivity and ownership.
• Attention to detail to meet grooming standards.
• Genuine passion for animals and grooming career.
• Knowledge of breed-specific grooming needs and health indicators.
• Proficiency in breed-specific cuts and styling techniques.
• Strong verbal and written communication with pet parents and team.
• Ability to handle dogs of all sizes and temperaments.
• Available to work weekends, evenings, and holidays as schedule requires.

Responsibilities

• Perform professional grooming services including bathing, drying, brushing, haircuts and styling, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning.
• Operate and maintain grooming instruments such as clippers, blades, shears, brushes, and dryers.
• Prioritize animal safety and comfort and report concerns to owners and management.
• Assess coat type, skin conditions, and temperament to tailor grooming.
• Interact professionally with pet parents and provide grooming recommendations.
• Educate owners on at-home care and grooming maintenance.
• Keep grooming area clean and sanitize tools and equipment daily.
• Follow Petco policies to maintain safety and quality in grooming operations.
• Assist in training and supervising entry-level trainees when needed.

Skills

Pet grooming

Customer service

Safety awareness

Communication skills

Education

Pet Stylist Apprentice program

High school diploma

Tools

Grooming tools

Job description

Want to help pets live their best lives?

We’re proud to be where the pets go and where the pet people go. 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 and people.

Pet First – Protect & Empower. All pets should Live their Best Life. We put the needs of pets and pet parents at the center of everything we do.

Foster the Fun – Connect & Bond. Our Passion for pets brings us together! We celebrate the journey of pet parenthood through district experiences, products, and services.

Let’s Go! Own & Commit. We are stronger as One Petco team. We bring our unique superpowers and champion authenticity in everyone to drive success.

Your Petco Grooming Career:

As a Pet Stylist at Petco, you will be responsible for providing professional grooming services to our valued customers' pets. With your expertise and attention to detail, you will ensure that each pet receives exceptional care, leaving them looking and feeling their best.

In addition to the opportunity to showcase your grooming skills, creativity and passion for animals, Petco also offers a dynamic and rewarding environment, including:

• 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
• Career development and growth opportunities, such as a Grooming Salon Leader, Grooming Mentor and Grooming Instructor

Purpose:

The Pet Stylists' primary purpose is to perform expert-level professional grooming services, including bathing, drying, brushing, haircuts and styling, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning. The Pet Stylist is responsible for prioritizing the safety, comfort, and well-being of the pets in our care and delivering a high level of customer satisfaction and customer service to pet parents. The Pet Stylist may be required to complete additional tasks as assigned by the Grooming Salon Leader, Solutions Manager, or Store General Manager. This is an excellent opportunity for groomers with proven technical experience to grow their expertise in grooming and individual productivity.

Essential Job Functions:

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

• Under moderate to limited supervision, perform professional grooming services including bathing, drying, brushing, haircuts and styling, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning, according to pet parent's instructions and adhering to breed standards and company policies and procedures
• Operate and maintain various grooming instruments, including clippers, blades, shears, brushes, and dryers
• Always prioritize the well-being and safety of every animal in the salon, monitor pets for any signs of discomfort, illness, or injury, and promptly report any concerns to pet owners and store management
• Evaluate individual needs of each pet, taking into consideration coat type, skin conditions, temperament

• Interact professionally and effectively with pet parents, provide optimal customer service, address grooming related inquiries, offer grooming recommendations, and provide timely resolution to questions or concerns
• Educate and provide custom recommendations to pet parents on grooming maintenance and at home care practices & products to promote the overall well-being of the pet
• 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
• Utilize knowledge and understanding of Petco's grooming policies, standards, and guidelines to ensure safety, quality, and consistency in all activities and areas of the grooming business, ensure standards are maintained in grooming salon
• May need to train, support, and supervise entry-level trainees in the absence of a Grooming Salon Leader

Education/Experience:

• Successful completion of the Pet Stylist Apprentice program with Petco, or previous experience as a professional groomer and/or completion of a technical grooming training program
• High-school diploma or GED preferred, though not required
• Latitude for independent judgement and problem solving, using grooming skills and knowledge to solve problems in routine to moderately complex situations, with some guidance from Grooming Salon Leader, Solutions Manager, or Store General Manager when necessary
• Results-driven with commitment to productivity, performance, and ownership of role in the grooming salon
• Strong attention to detail, ensuring grooming services are executed accurately and to the highest standards
• Genuine passion for animals with a desire to continue a career in pet grooming
• Expert knowledge of various dog breeds, grooming requirements, common health issues and behaviors
• High level of proficiency in breed-specific cuts, styling techniques, and grooming standards
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for interactions with pet parents and grooming team members
• Capable of handling pets of all sizes and temperaments with care and empathy
• Available 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.

The pay ranges outlined below are presented in accordance with state-specific regulations. These ranges may differ in other areas and could be subject to variation based on regulatory minimum wage requirements. Actual pay rates will depend on factors such as position, location, level of experience, and applicable state or local minimum wage laws. If the regulatory minimum wage exceeds the minimum indicated in the pay range below, the regulatory minimum wage will be the minimum rate applied.

Salary Range: $15.00 - $23.00

Hourly or Salary Range will be reflected above. 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

About Petco:

We’re proud to be 'where the pets go' to find everything they need to live their best lives for more than 60 years – from their favorite meals and toys, to trusted supplies and expert support from people who get it, because we live it. We believe in the universal truths of pet parenthood – the boundless boops, missing slippers, late night zoomies and everything in between. And we’re here for it. Every tail wag, every vet visit, every step of the way. We are 29,000+ strong and together we nurture the pet-human bond in more than 1,500 Petco stores across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics and eight distribution centers. In 1999, we founded Petco Love. Together, we support thousands of local animal welfare groups nationwide and have helped find homes for approximately 7 million animals through in-store adoption events.

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