In this role, you will receive progressive training and mentorship to learn a range of grooming techniques, including bathing, brushing, blow drying, de-matting, hair/fur cutting or trimming, gland expression, teeth brushing, nail clipping and grinding, and other specialized services. Our mentorship program is designed to teach you best practices from experienced groomers, as well as pet handling techniques, safety protocols, and how to effectively promote service enhancements.

Groomer Apprenticeship Career Progression

Bather – Estimated 30 Days to Complete

Academy Level 1 – Estimated 4 to 6 Weeks to Complete

Academy Level 2 – Estimated 2 to 4 Months to Complete

Interim – Estimated 3 to 4 Weeks to Complete

Groomer – Program Completion

Responsibilities

• Successfully complete both academy levels of time-sensitive groomer training through our partnership with a renowned industry leader.

• We provide you with a high-quality grooming toolkit, training materials, essential resources, and mentorship valued at $2,700.00.

• Complete superior grooms including bathing, brushing, blow drying, de-matting, cutting or trimming hair/fur, gland expression, teeth brushing, nail clipping and grinding, and other specialty services.
• Provide a thorough hands-on pet check-in and check-out process for each pet and pet parent, ensuring clear communication and understanding of grooming preferences, special instructions, and any health or behavioral concerns to deliver personalized grooming services.
• Treat all pets and pet parents with kindness and respect, fostering a welcoming and positive environment.
• Properly handle pets with empathy and compassion, ensuring their comfort and safety while in our care.
• Use good judgment and alert groomer of any anomalies that a dog may have, such as unusual behavior, skin conditions, or physical discomfort, to ensure the safety and well-being of the pet during grooming procedures.
• Proactively engage with pet parents and their pets, provide valuable product knowledge and educational information to enhance their experience and support the growth of the business.
• Positively interact with pet parents in-person, via email, text, and phone providing them with proactive communication and exceptional service.
• Authentically offer enhancements to meet our pets’ and pet parents’ specific needs, ensuring their satisfaction and building long-lasting relationships that drive repeat business and positive referrals.
• Rebook with pet parents to ensure timely, holistic care to promote pet wellness, including scheduling follow-up appointments for grooming services and recommending additional services or products to support the health and grooming needs of their pets.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of grooming tools and equipment.
• Maintain a safe and sanitary work environment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Minimum of 6 months of professional experience in pet bathing, grooming assistance, and/or pet care.
• Passion for grooming and promoting the well-being of pets.
• Willingness to learn and be educated about the products and services offered.
• Exceptional active-listening and customer service skills.
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, to convey information clearly and collaborate effectively within a team environment.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the business, which will require evening and weekend shifts.
• Good time management skills.

Physical Demands

• Position requires a person to be both indoors and outdoors (to assist with customer carry out).
• Must be able to stand 8 hours per day with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds on a regular basis with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be comfortable working with a wide variety of animals including small and large dogs and cats.
• Must be able to work around pet hair and dander.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)/ Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – medical and dependent care
• $25K life insurance policy (employer paid)
• Short and Long-term disability (employer paid)
• Greatly discounted, employer-subsidized pet insurance
• PTO (paid time off) – 2 weeks in first year, 3 weeks in second year
• Paid Parental Leave and Paw-Ternity (paid Pet Adoption bonding time)
• 401(k) Program
• Employee Assistance Program/ 24X7 – completely confidential
• Generous discounts on goods and services
• Growth opportunities!

• Focus on quality vs. quantity AND humanity vs. vanity

Starting at $14.00-$16.00 per hour DOE/DOQ

Subject to change depending on State/City/County minimums.

IPP is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with applicable law, we prohibit discrimination against any applicant or team member based on any legally recognized basis, including but not limited to: race, color, national origin or ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, childbirth or related medical conditions) gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed servicemember status, sexual orientation, age (40 or over), or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.