Animal Care Specialist

As a Companion Animal Specialist, you will serve as the primary advocate for the health, welfare, and proper care of companion animals and aquatic life within the Pet Care Center (PCC). Your role supports sales, merchandising, and inventory execution while upholding exceptional animal care and habitat maintenance. What You'll Do Ensure the health and safety of all companion animals and aquatic life in accordance with Petco standards. Complete required animal‑care tasks, including hourly health checks, maintenance logs, and incident reports. Handle, document, and care for relinquished and adoption animals. Provide animal‑care education to customers and PCC partners. Adhere to safety, animal welfare, and loss‑prevention procedures. Deliver knowledgeable, compassionate, and solution‑focused service to customers. Support customer interactions using Petco’s selling model. Promote a culture of teamwork and inclusion across the PCC. Mentor partners on animal‑care standards, maintenance routines, and best practices. Maintain clean, professional animal habitats and aquatic areas. Support achievement of department sales, margin, and shrink goals. Stock, price, and display merchandise to Petco standards. Order live animals, supplies, and related merchandise in partnership with sales to support inventory integrity. Analyze inventory data to identify opportunities for improvement. Assist with opening/closing procedures and special projects as needed. Verify completion of animal‑care and maintenance tasks. Perform routine housekeeping duties (cleaning habitats, sweeping, mopping, dusting, merchandising). Process register transactions accurately and efficiently. Identify customer needs and escalate concerns when appropriate. Support omnichannel and in‑store initiatives through consistent execution and engagement. What Success Looks Like Animals are healthy, safe, and cared for to the highest standards. Customers trust the team’s expertise and return for guidance. Animal habitats and aquatic areas are clean, compliant, and visually appealing. Inventory and merchandising support sales while minimizing shrink. Partners feel supported and informed through shared animal‑care knowledge. Qualifications Minimum of 1 year of experience caring for companion animals and aquatic life. Strong knowledge of animal care, husbandry, and maintenance practices. Ability to educate others and communicate effectively. Strong customer‑service mindset with aptitude for selling behaviors. Basic business, math, and inventory management skills. Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills. High school diploma or GED preferred. Completion and ongoing maintenance of the Petco Animal Care Certification Program required. Essential Functions & Work Environment Frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting (up to 50 pounds). Ability to safely lift merchandise and supplies. Regular customer engagement on the sales floor. Comfort working in proximity to animals and exposure to animal dander, odors, and cleaning chemicals. Flexible availability, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Benefits and Compensation Salary range: $13.00 – $22.00 per hour; start rate: $15.00 per hour. Comprehensive benefits package (health, financial, 401(k), incentives, PTO) – see the Petco Total Rewards information. 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, veteran status, or any other protected classification. #J-18808-Ljbffr