Dog Groomer-Part Time

Experienced Dog Groomer - Part-Time

About Pet Wants Mira Mesa

At Pet Wants Mira Mesa, we believe pets are family. We're a locally owned pet nutrition and supply store specializing in fresh, high-quality pet food, healthy treats, supplements, and premium pet products.

We've recently added professional grooming to our store and are growing our grooming clientele. We're looking for experienced groomers who want to join us as we build a high-quality, pet-focused grooming program.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a groomer who values quality over rushing through appointments, enjoys getting to know their clients and their pets, and would like to be part of a newer salon as it grows.

The Position

This is a part-time hourly position averaging approximately 20-25 hours per week.

Weekend availability is important. We're hiring groomers with the goal of sharing weekend coverage between them.

Unlike many grooming positions, this is not a commission-only position. You'll receive a competitive hourly wage and keep 100% of your tips, providing more predictable compensation while our grooming clientele continues to grow.

We generally practice straight-through grooming, meaning you'll manage your client from check-in through grooming and final handoff to the pet parent. This allows you to get to know the dog, communicate directly with the owner, and provide a more personal grooming experience.

As appointment volume grows, we anticipate adding bather/grooming assistant support.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional grooming services including bathing, drying, haircuts, styling, brushing, de-shedding, nail trimming and related services.
• Safely handle dogs of different breeds, sizes, ages and temperaments.
• Maintain a pet-first approach, with safety, comfort and humane handling taking priority.
• Consult with pet parents at check-in to understand grooming requests and set appropriate expectations.
• Communicate with owners at pickup about the groom and any relevant skin, coat or other observations.
• Maintain accurate grooming and client notes.
• Keep grooming tables, tubs, equipment and the salon area clean, sanitized and organized.
• Follow salon safety, sanitation and dog-handling procedures.
• Build positive, long-term relationships with grooming clients and their pets.
• When appropriate, help pet parents identify products that may support their pet's skin, coat and overall wellness.
• Represent our brand at local events and build lasting customer relationships.

Qualifications

• 1-2+ years of professional dog grooming experience preferred (please plan to show your Book of Work)
• Comfortable performing complete grooms independently.
• Knowledge of common breed cuts, coat types and grooming techniques.
• Experience using professional grooming tools and equipment.
• Gentle, patient and confident handling of dogs.
• Strong attention to safety and animal comfort.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Dependable, punctual and professional.
• Comfortable working independently while also being part of a small, collaborative team.
• Willingness to work weekend shifts.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

Tools & Equipment

Pet Wants provides the major professional salon equipment and grooming supplies, including grooming tables, tubs and professional drying equipment.

Groomers provide their own preferred clippers, shears and personal hand tools.

We also aid with professional tool sharpening to help keep your equipment performing at its best.

Compensation & Benefits

• From $22/hour, with commission upside based on your productivity.
• 100% of customer tips.
• Approximately 20-25 hours per week.
• Paid time off (PTO).
• Paid sick time.
• 401(k).
• Employee discount on Pet Wants food, treats and merchandise.
• Assistance with grooming-tool sharpening.
• Professional salon equipment provided.
• Opportunity to grow with a developing grooming program.

Why Pet Wants Mira Mesa?

We're building our grooming salon around a simple idea: take good care of the pet, take good care of the customer, and don't sacrifice quality just to push more dogs through the salon.

Because our grooming business is still growing, appointment volume can vary. Our hourly compensation model gives groomers more predictable pay without making their income entirely dependent on the number of dogs booked that day.

As the salon grows, we expect the grooming team to grow with it - including adding bather/assistant support as volume warrants.

Most importantly, we're looking for groomers who want to help us create the kind of salon where pet parents feel comfortable bringing their dogs back again and again.