Introduction
Do you love working with dogs and take pride in helping pets look and feel their best? Central Bark Athens is hiring an experienced, dependable, and compassionate Groomer to join our Whole Dog Care™ team.
At Central Bark Athens, we focus on dog enrichment, safety, health, and personalized care. Groomers play an important role in delivering a positive grooming experience while helping maintain each dog’s overall wellness and comfort. This role combines professional grooming services, customer communication, and relationship-building with pet parents in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
We are seeking a motivated grooming professional who is interested in building and growing a long-term career with us. Candidates who bring an existing client base or established book of business are highly encouraged to apply.
Unlike many high-volume corporate salons, Central Bark Athens offers a more personalized, relationship-focused environment where groomers can focus on quality care, customer relationships, and long-term career growth in a supportive team setting.
Compensation & Incentives
• Competitive commission-based compensation structure
• 50% commission on grooming services based on experience and production
• 100% tips retained by groomer
• Additional incentives available for groomers bringing an established book of business
• Opportunity to grow personal clientele and increase earning potential over time
• Employee discounts on products and services
What You’ll Do
• Perform professional grooming services including bathing, brushing, drying, clipping, shaving, trimming, nail trims, ear cleaning, de-shedding, and breed-specific grooming
• Safely handle dogs of all breeds, sizes, temperaments, and coat types
• Discuss grooming requests, coat care recommendations, and scheduling needs with pet parents
• Build and maintain strong relationships with grooming clients
• Schedule grooming appointments and maintain grooming records
• Monitor dog behavior and body language to maintain a safe grooming environment
• Help grow grooming sales through exceptional service and customer retention
• Promote grooming services and help build long-term customer relationships
• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of grooming tools, tubs, kennels, tables, and work areas
• Perform grooming-related laundry and general cleaning tasks
• Communicate with coworkers and management regarding dog behavior, health concerns, and customer needs
• Follow all company policies and safety guidelines to ensure a safe environment for both dogs and staff
• Attend training sessions, educational seminars, or grooming events as needed
Ideal Candidates We’re Looking For
• Previous professional dog grooming experience required
• Grooming certification or formal grooming education preferred, but not required
• Existing book of business or established clientele strongly preferred
• Strong dog handling and restraint skills
• Passion for working with dogs and delivering exceptional customer service
• Self-motivated with an entrepreneurial mindset
• Positive attitude and strong work ethic
• Reliable, punctual, and team-oriented
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, physically active environment
• Ability to stay calm and think quickly in stressful situations
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Weekend availability required
• Reliable transportation required
Why Groomers Choose Central Bark Athens
• Boutique-style grooming environment focused on quality over volume
• Less stressful atmosphere than many corporate grooming salons
• Opportunity to grow your personal clientele and recurring customer base
• Dedicated support from daycare and front desk teams
• Professional online booking and client management through MoeGo
• Opportunity to help shape and grow a new grooming operation from the ground up
• Supportive and team-oriented culture
• Employee discounts
• Opportunity for advancement and leadership growth
Physical Requirements
• Ability to lift at least 50 lbs. and safely handle dogs of all sizes
• Ability to stand for extended periods throughout the workday
• Frequent bending, lifting, reaching, grasping, pulling, and repetitive hand movements required
• Comfortable working around water, pet hair, cleaning products, and grooming equipment
• Comfortable working indoors in a busy grooming and daycare environment
Schedule
• Part-time position
• Employees must be available to work weekends and a combination of morning and afternoon shifts as part of a year-round operation
Additional Information
This job description outlines the general nature and key responsibilities of the Groomer position. Duties and responsibilities may change as needed to support the needs of the facility.
Compensation is commission-based and will vary based on experience, grooming production, customer retention, and qualifications.
Apply Today: If you’re passionate about dogs and want to grow your grooming career with a supportive and expanding team, we’d love to meet you!
