Dog Groomer

Job Title:

Style & Serenity Specialist (Experienced Dog Groomer)

Company:

Apple Creek Canine Resort Job Type:

Full-Time (Approx. 36 hours/week) and

Part-Time Available Location:

650 51st

Street, Marion, IA About Apple Creek Canine Resort:

We are taking canine care to the next level of luxury. As a premium, high-demand facility, our spa department is growing rapidly—in fact, we are currently turning down clients! We are looking for an experienced Style & Serenity Specialist to step into a fully booked schedule and serve as our professional grooming authority. If you are a passionate groomer exhausted by the chaotic, "volume-over-quality" hustle and the feast-or-famine commission trap, this may be your new home. Why Our Pay Structure is Better (The "No-Panic" Paycheck): We go against the industry norm. We believe our team deserves the safety of a guaranteed base wage plus the upside of production bonuses, without having to pay out-of-pocket to do their job.

Your Total First-Year Compensation Value:

$53,000 - $60,000+

Guaranteed Hourly Base:

$20.00/hour to start, moving up to $24.00/hour based on tenure.

Weekly Commission Bonuses:

You earn tiered commission on weekly goals! 100% of

Your Tips:

Kept directly by you. Paid Time Off (PTO): Earn 40 to 60 hours of PTO as you gain tenure.

Elite Paid Education:

We invest heavily in you. You will receive up to $2,500 in Continuing Education reimbursement to complete official Skin Esthetician certification through Pet Skin Academy.

Resort Perks:

Generous daycare punchcards and boarding credits for your own dogs where you'll soon find we have the best clients as they know we love their dogs as our own. (Valued at over $1,100 to $2,400 annually).

What You Will Do:

Premium Styling:

Perform full-service grooming including precision clipping, hand-scissoring, de-shedding, and breed-appropriate styling based on coat condition.

Safety & Wellness:

Utilize calm, low-stress handling techniques. You have the ultimate authority to determine safe grooming approaches and adjust services to protect the dog's well-being.

Client Education:

Conduct professional grooming consultations and communicate coat care and rebooking recommendations to pet parents.

Mentorship:

Model professional conduct, proper technique, and workflow efficiency to our Pet Aestheticians and Paw-dicurists (your prep team!).

Quality Control:

Perform final inspections to ensure every dog meets Apple Creek's luxury standards.

What We Are Looking For:

18+ years of age. Completion of a professional grooming program OR equivalent hands-on grooming validation. Minimum of 6+ months professional grooming experience with demonstrated haircut proficiency. Ability to safely and calmly groom dogs of varying sizes and temperaments. Commitment to ongoing education and canine esthetics (which we pay for!). Physical ability to stand for extended periods, perform repetitive hand motions, and safely lift/maneuver dogs up to 75 pounds.

Schedule:

Shifts fall within 7:30 AM - 6:30 PM. Scheduling flexibility is required, as our facility operates 7 days per week. No spa services on Major Holidays.

Pay:

$400.00 - $1,000.00 per week

Benefits:

401(k) Employee discount Paid time off Paid training People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply Application Question(s): How many years of professional grooming experience (specifically performing full haircuts, not just bathing) do you have? Do you have a portfolio of your grooming work (photos or a professional social media page) that you can share with us? Our pay structure is designed to prevent groomer burnout. Are you comfortable working under a highly competitive model that includes a guaranteed hourly base wage PLUS tiered production bonuses, rather than a straight 100% commission model? Apple Creek prioritizes "humanity over vanity" and low-stress handling. Briefly describe how you handle a dog that becomes highly stressed or uncooperative during a groom.

Work Location:

In person