Groomer

Petco • Skokie, IL

13d • Onsite

About The Position

The Pet Stylist provides expert professional grooming services to customers’ 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 a high level of customer satisfaction and service. Groomers evaluate each pet’s individual needs, including coat type, skin conditions, and temperament, and follow pet-parent instructions, breed standards, and company policies.

The Pet Stylist operates and maintains grooming instruments and equipment, keeps the grooming area clean and sanitary, and follows Petco’s grooming standards and hygiene policies. The role also involves communicating with pet parents about grooming services, answering questions, making recommendations for maintenance and at-home care, and resolving concerns. The stylist may support and supervise entry-level trainees when a Grooming Salon Leader is absent, and may perform additional tasks assigned by salon or store management.

Requirements

• Successful completion of Petco’s Pet Stylist Apprentice program, or previous professional grooming experience and/or completion of a technical grooming training program.
• High-school diploma or GED preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to productivity, performance, and ownership of work in the grooming salon.
• 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 Pet Care Center’s grooming schedule.
• Ability to perform duties with or without reasonable accommodation, including bending, kneeling, lifting up to 30 pounds as necessary, and standing for long periods.

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, including clippers, blades, shears, brushes, and dryers.
• Prioritize the safety and well-being of animals, monitor pets for signs of discomfort, illness, or injury, and promptly report concerns to pet owners and store management.
• Evaluate each pet’s needs, taking coat type, skin conditions, and temperament into consideration.
• 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 provide customized recommendations about grooming maintenance, at-home care practices, and products.
• Maintain a clean and safe grooming area; disinfect and sanitize tools and equipment; complete daily, weekly, and other assigned cleaning and maintenance duties.
• Apply Petco grooming policies, standards, and guidelines to maintain safety, quality, and consistency in the grooming salon.
• Train, support, and supervise entry-level trainees when the Grooming Salon Leader is absent, as needed.
• Complete additional tasks 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