Groom Tech in Training, Petsense

Role Overview

This position is centered on joining and finishing Petsense’s Level 1 training program, Paragon, as preparation for a future path in grooming and bathing. Paragon is a virtual distance-learning curriculum that runs for 15 weeks and covers bathing and grooming basics, pet first aid and CPR fundamentals, safe animal handling, dog anatomy, and dog physiology. The program combines practical hands-on work, study materials, online tests, video learning, and photo submissions for evaluation.

Key Responsibilities

The role requires flexibility, reliability, and a customer-first approach. Team members are expected to maintain dependable attendance, work assigned schedules, and be available for changing hours, nights, weekends, and overtime based on business requirements. They are also expected to support selling efforts by thanking customers, engaging with pets and owners, recommending products or services, and creating a positive experience.

Groom Technicians in Training must build the skills needed to perform the full range of duties during the training period. This includes completing the Paragon Level 1 program within the required five-week timeline, handling pets safely, bathing, drying, brushing, combing, trimming nails, cleaning ears, doing preparatory hair trimming, using basic clipping and finishing techniques, maintaining equipment, and delivering professional customer service.

Additional duties include protecting animal welfare, checking animals for signs of parasites, illness, or injury and sharing concerns with pet owners, following sanitation and safety procedures, cleaning and caring for grooming tools and equipment, helping generate business through outbound calls, appointment scheduling, reminders, follow-ups, and vaccination verification, maintaining client and vaccination records, using a computer when needed, supporting store recovery tasks if required, caring for live animals and holding tanks when needed, completing all required documentation, and carrying out other assigned work.

Required Qualifications

Applicants should be comfortable working with both dogs and cats and should show patience and compassion toward animals. They must either bring their own grooming tools, including clippers, blades, and shears, or be prepared to buy the required tools. A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may also be considered. Regardless of formal education, the associate must be able to read, write, and count accurately.

Preferred Skills and Knowledge

Helpful abilities include using grooming equipment such as tubs, brushes, combs, scissors, clippers, dryers, and bathing products; communicating clearly with team members and customers; showing empathy toward animals; paying close attention to detail; completing documentation accurately; solving problems; using basic computer tools; and working well with others while resolving issues professionally and with minimal conflict.

Working Conditions

The work environment is generally indoors and has moderate noise. The role includes exposure to sharp grooming tools, perfumed shampoos and soaps, pets, pet waste, wet conditions while bathing dogs, and animals of different sizes, breeds, and temperaments. Shift lengths vary by store and are usually at least 4 hours, though they may run longer than 8 hours. Team members must help create a safe and productive workplace and follow company safety training and guidelines. Indoor floors and outdoor surfaces are generally hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt, with adequate lighting and temperature.

Physical Demands

This is a non-sedentary position that requires frequent movement throughout the salon and store. The associate must be able to transfer live animals, equipment, and merchandise weighing up to 50 pounds; stand in one place for up to 8 hours while grooming; move around the salon for 4 to 8 hours per day; use grooming tools such as shears and dryers; occasionally lift or reach overhead; bend, kneel, and squat often; operate store equipment such as a computer and cash register; and read, write, and count accurately. Strong verbal and written communication skills are also necessary. The role demands the stamina to move quickly and safely through the store and outdoor areas while performing duties effectively and safely.

Company Information

Tractor Supply and Petsense by Tractor Supply describe their Team Members as central to the company’s success. They emphasize a total rewards package that supports employees and their families with benefits such as medical, dental, and vision coverage, company-paid life and disability insurance, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and family planning support including adoption and surrogacy assistance, available to all full-time Team Members and all part-time Team Members. Part-time new hires become eligible for TSC benefits by averaging at least 15 hours per week during the 90-day lookback period. That lookback begins on the first day of the month after the hire date. If the 15-hour requirement is met, benefits begin on the first day of the month after 4 months of continuous service.

Disclaimer

This job summary is intended only as an overview of the role and does not list every responsibility. Team members may be asked to complete additional duties assigned by a supervisor.