Groomer

Petco • Johnson City, NY

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Pet Stylist provides expert professional grooming services to pets, including bathing, drying, brushing, haircuts and styling, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning. The role prioritizes each pet’s safety, comfort, and well-being while delivering high-quality customer service and satisfaction to pet parents. Groomers evaluate each pet’s individual needs, including coat type, skin conditions, and temperament, and follow pet-parent instructions, breed standards, and company policies. They maintain a clean and safe grooming salon, operate and care for grooming equipment, and may train, support, and supervise entry-level trainees when a Grooming Salon Leader is absent. Additional duties may be assigned by the Grooming Salon Leader, Solutions Manager, or Store General Manager.

The position is primarily conducted indoors in the grooming salon, with frequent direct contact with pets and their owners. The environment may be noisy and wet. The job involves bending, kneeling, standing for extended periods, lifting up to 30 pounds as needed, and potentially working at heights using a two-step ladder or other support tools for cleaning and maintenance. Weekend, evening, and holiday availability is required as dictated by the Pet Care Center’s grooming schedule.

Requirements

• Successful completion of Petco’s Pet Stylist Apprentice program, or prior professional grooming experience and/or completion of a technical grooming training program.
• High-school diploma or GED preferred.
• Results-driven approach and commitment to productivity, performance, and ownership of the grooming role.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to perform grooming services accurately and to high standards.
• Genuine passion for animals and desire to continue a career in pet grooming.
• Expert knowledge of dog breeds, grooming requirements, common health issues, and behaviors.
• High proficiency in breed-specific cuts, styling techniques, and grooming standards.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for interacting with pet parents and grooming team members.
• Ability to handle pets of all sizes and temperaments with care and empathy.
• Availability to work weekends, evenings, and holidays as required by the grooming schedule.
• Ability to perform the essential duties with or without reasonable accommodation, including bending, kneeling, standing for long periods, and lifting up to 30 pounds as needed.

Responsibilities

• Perform professional grooming services, including bathing, drying, brushing, haircuts and styling, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning, according to pet-parent instructions, breed standards, and company policies.
• Operate and maintain grooming instruments such as clippers, blades, shears, brushes, and dryers.
• Prioritize animal safety and well-being, monitor pets for signs of discomfort, illness, or injury, and promptly report concerns to pet owners and store management.
• Evaluate each pet’s individual grooming needs, including coat type, skin conditions, and temperament.
• Interact professionally with pet parents, provide customer service, address grooming-related inquiries, offer recommendations, and resolve questions or concerns in a timely manner.
• Educate pet parents and recommend grooming maintenance, at-home care practices, and products that support pet well-being.
• Maintain a clean and safe grooming area and salon; disinfect and sanitize tools and equipment; perform daily and weekly cleaning and other assigned maintenance tasks.
• Apply Petco grooming policies, standards, and guidelines to maintain safety, quality, consistency, and salon standards.
• Train, support, and supervise entry-level trainees when a Grooming Salon Leader is absent.
• Complete additional tasks as assigned by the Grooming Salon Leader, Solutions Manager, or Store General Manager.

Benefits

• Competitive base pay
• Medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Petco discounts
• Grooming supplies and equipment provided
• Career development and growth opportunities, including Grooming Salon Leader, Grooming Mentor, and Grooming Instructor paths

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED