Area Pet Trainer

Job Summary

Pet Smart’s Area Pet Trainer is responsible for engaging with pet parents and their pets while providing positive experiences and upholding the company’s vision, mission, values, and strategy. The Area Pet Trainer will train all existing and new Pet Training Instructors for their assigned areas and actively educate pet parents on the benefits of pet training according to Pet Smart’s curriculum.

• Paid Weekly
• Health & Wellness Benefits
• 401k Plan with company match
• Paid Time off for full-time associates
• Associate discounts
• Tuition Assistance
• Career Pathing
• Development Opportunities

• Actively sell training classes in store, over the phone and online.
• Connect with pet parents to educate them about the benefits of our entire pet training curriculum.
• Recognize associates for their contributions to selling pet training.
• Schedule training classes as outlined by company expectations.
• Maintain all paperwork related to pet training.
• Teach classes at times that are optimal to maximize participation.

• Train and certify all new pet training instructors within the assigned group of stores.
• Provide feedback to the District Leader and Store Leader on the progress of the new Pet Trainer’s accreditation process including strengths and opportunities.
• Attend additional education classes as offered by the company.

• Responsible for pet parent experience and outcomes conducted over the telephone, in person or online, and responding to pet parent concerns.
• Recommend, inform, and sell merchandise and services.
• Maintain brand standards of the store including but not limited to maintaining the pet training podium, cleaning up after pet accidents, store recovery, collecting carts, etc.
• Responsible for creating a safe environment for the people and pets in their classes and surrounding areas of the store.
• Ensure the pet training rink and surrounding areas are cleaned and sanitized.
• Backup to operate point‑of‑sale (POS) systems and handle cash transactions, ensuring accuracy and compliance with company policies.
• Responsible for taking immediate action when a sick/injured pet is identified in the store; transport to the vet as needed.
• Assist and work in other departments as required. Other duties may be assigned.
• Participate in our culture of belonging and recognition.
• Follow all company policies and procedures.

• Accredited in Pet Smart Training Instructor Course.
• Minimum of 1 year Pet Smart training experience.
• 2+ years of retail experience in a customer‑focused environment.
• Flexibility in schedule, able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Proficiency in computer applications.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to react under pressure, solve practical problems and maintain composure.

No direct reports, however, are expected to train, guide and support the development of other associates.

• Stand, walk, climb a ladder, and handle, feel, hold, write, etc. Reach with hands and arms: stoop, kneel, crouch, talk and hear. Require depth perception.
• Frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally team lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Require depth perception.
• Occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, wet environment with an abundance of pet hair, moderate to high noise levels, and live animals handling.

Pet Smart is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Pet Smart provides an equal opportunity for all associates and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We offer reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout our application process. Applicants must be over the age of 18 (except in Montana or where otherwise required by local or state law).

For applicants in our Waterloo, San Francisco, or Los Angeles locations:
Pursuant to the Waterloo and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, as well as the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring, we will consider for employment, qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in a manner consistent with the law.

NOTE:

This summary is intended to describe the general nature and level of work associates/leaders assigned to this job perform. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. Exact rate of pay will be based on relevant experience level, training, skills or knowledge, and store location. In no instance will Pet Smart pay less than the local minimum wage. This position is also eligible for train pay which is based on a percent of training sales (which is 0% for Pet Training Instructor Trainees, 20% of training sales for Pet Training Instructor 2, 25% of training sales for Pet Training Instructor 3, and 30% for Area Pet Training Instructor), as well as benefits as described at