Job Title: Groomer's Assistant | Dog Bather
What sets us apart:
Essential Paws is a family-owned and operated, professionally certified pet resort that has been dedicated to providing exceptional care since we opened in 2017. Our mission is to create a nurturing environment that meets the physical, mental, and emotional needs of every guest. We pride ourselves on delivering personalized attention and exceptional hospitality to each client.
Nestled by the waterfront, our award-winning facility offers top-notch grooming, daycare, and boarding services, all backed by a commitment to ongoing education in the pet care industry. At Essential Paws, your furry family members are treated like our own, ensuring they have a safe and enjoyable stay.
Availability:
- Our salon is open Sunday-Wednesday: 9am-7pm *SUNDAYS ARE REQUIRED
- W-2, Tipped Position
- Seeking a detail oriented, long-term team member
- Opportunities for growth and advancement!
About the role:
As a bather, you play a vital role in each dog’s grooming experience. You’re responsible for safely handling dogs, bathing and drying them properly, preparing coats for grooming, and keeping dogs comfortable and calm throughout the process. Bathers help maintain cleanliness, notice skin or coat issues, and ensure every dog leaves feeling fresh and cared for. This is a hands-on, active role that requires attention to detail, patience, and a genuine love for working with dogs. It’s also the foundation for learning grooming skills and building a long-term career in pet care.
Daily tasks:
- Prepare the salon for opening before the first guest arrives. This includes but is not limited to: Changing and folding laundry, filling bathing machines with shampoo, setting pricing in the merchant system for each guest expected to come in, and setting each room up according to listed standards.
- Provide professional, kind and compassionate care to all guests.
- Complete bath appointments in an efficient and organized manner including but not limited to: shampooing, brushing, blow drying, stretch drying, nail trims, ear cleanings, tooth brushing, anal gland expression, sanitary trims, face trims, foot trims, pad treatments, silhouette trims, undercoat removal, ear plucking, de-matting, etc.
- Assist Stylists with prep work (see above) upon request.
- Handle all client interactions including intake and payment processing professionally while practicing active empathy.
- Ensure all procedures and protocols are followed to EP standards.
- Prepare the salon for closing. This includes but is not limited to: Cleaning and sanitizing the facility and tools, changing and folding laundry, entering notes from the day, reviewing the calendar for the next day.
- Communicate professionally with clients on all mediums including text, email and phone calls using verbiage that is grammatically and morally appropriate.
- The groomer's assistant must be self motivated, knowledgeable and show high initiative as they will be expected to assist without being prompted on a regular basis.
About our perfect candidate
- Reliable, punctual and motivated to excel in their position
- Professional Pet Care experience preferred but not required
- Able to pass a background check & drug screen
- You must have your OWN reliable transportation
- Customer service experience preferred but not required
- Technologically inclined
- Able to lift 40+ lbs
- Able to stand, bend, lift, or stoop as needed throughout a shift
- Excellent attendance
- Aligns with our company values: Customer Experience, Safety, Reliability, Passion, Active Empathy and Education
Preferred but not required:
- Pet CPR & First Aid training
- Dog Behavior Training Courses
- Grooming Courses or Certs
Pay:
$14 - $18 /hour depending on skills & qualifications.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $14.00 - $18.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Employee discount
- Paid training
- Tools provided
Experience:
- Professional Pet Bathing: 1 year (Required)
Work Location: In person
