---
title: 'Pet Bather/Pet Groomer Trainee at Barkbus'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/pet-bather-pet-groomer-trainee-barkbus-irvine-w4sb62ekhz7r'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-14'
---

# Pet Bather/Pet Groomer Trainee at Barkbus

- **Company:** Barkbus
- **Location:** Irvine, CA
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-09-04
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-14
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/barkbus/2b8f0843-41d8-4a93-a8ab-2fcd55e30469

## Job description

## About Us

Barkbus is the nation's premier mobile grooming service, passionately committed to the health, happiness, and overall wellness of pups. We proudly serve pet parents across AZ, CA, CO, GA, TX, and VA. Our mission is to deliver joy to pets and their people. We achieve this by creating safe, healthy, and stress-free environments for both our dogs and our dedicated groomers, believing that caring for pets starts with caring for our team. What Makes Barkbus Different?

- Quality Focused: We prioritize quality over quantity. Groomers manage schedules of just 3-6 dogs per day, ensuring every pup receives the dedicated time and attention they deserve.
- Focused on Grooming: We handle the sales and marketing, freeing you to focus on what you do best: creating amazing transformations and making tails wag! It’s a place to fall in love with pet care again.
- Community & Creativity: Join a team that celebrates the fun of what we do every day - from van-in-the-wild moments to celebrating every pup’s glow-up.
- Comprehensive Benefits: Full-time groomers enjoy a strong benefits package, including paid time off, paid holidays, health benefits, and 401(k) retirement plans.

## About the Role

Barkbus University is our premier training program for aspiring Pet Stylists. As a Pet Stylist Trainee, you’ll start in our training salon, refining your bathing skills and learning advanced grooming techniques under the guidance of experienced instructors. This program is designed to grow you from a skilled bather into a fully capable Mobile Pet Stylist, ready to deliver premium experiences to every pup. Unlike other grooming academies, we don’t hold you hostage with contracts or repayment clauses after training. At Barkbus University, you stay because you want to - not because you have to. What You’ll Do:

- Start your journey in our training salon, performing all core and advanced bathing services: shampooing, conditioning, drying, de-shedding, paw pad and sanitary trims, and nail clipping.
- Level up through a 6-week formal training program led by expert grooming instructors, where you’ll learn advanced grooming techniques tailored to your individual learning goals.
- Get hands-on van training to prepare you for mobile grooming, then continue to build your skills during your first 6 weeks in the field through targeted ride-alongs, personalized coaching, and real-world application in our state-of-the-art Hanvey vans.
- Showcase your new skills in your formal groom test, and upon passing, officially graduate from Barkbus University as a Pet Stylist and transition into a mobile role.

How We Support You:

- Receive structured, hands-on training from experienced grooming instructors.
- Benefit from dedicated scheduling assistance to ensure your appointments fit your pace.
- Join a supportive, team-first environment designed to help you grow your skills and confidence.

## Role Requirements

- 6+ months of professional dog bathing experience
- Experience with de-shedding treatments, paw pad and sanitary trims, and nail clipping
- Hungry to learn and grow your skills through Barkbus University
- Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
- Comfortable interacting with customers/pet parents
- Comfortable using smart phones (device provided!)
- Ability to safely lift and handle dogs up to 50 lbs unassisted
- Ability to safely guide or maneuver dogs up to 100 lbs with the use of the van’s equipment (e.g., lift, grooming table)

## Compensation, Benefits & Perks

Pay & Bonuses:

- $20 - $26/hour (base pay plus tips) during the training program
- Pay increase upon graduate to Pet Stylist rates
- Weekly payroll

Comprehensive Benefits (for employees working 30+ hours/week):

- Medical, dental, and vision coverage (for employees, dependents, and domestic partners)
- Pet Insurance
- 401(k) retirement savings plan
- Generous paid time off, including vacation time, sick leave, and up to 11 holidays
- Up to three (3) company-paid International Professional Groomer (IPG) certifications
- Complimentary snacks and beverages at all local hubs

Beyond these formal benefits, Barkbus Mobile Pet Bathers join a dedicated team committed to a positive work environment, professional growth, and safety. Our Hiring Journey

- Application: Submit your resume, and we’ll be in touch!
- Initial Screening: A brief phone call for us to get to know one another.
- Deeper Dive: A 30-minute virtual meeting with a Grooming Manager for in-depth discussion.
- The Pawdition: An on-site technical grooming assessment.
- Final Steps: Offer letter and background check.

## Equal Opportunity Employer

Barkbus is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

## About Barkbus

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Barkbus is a direct-to-doorstep luxury mobile dog grooming service that combines world-class pet stylists with seamless technology to provide a stress-free, one-on-one grooming experience.
- **Entity Type**: Private (startup stage)
- **Headquarters**: Los Angeles, California, United States
- **Founded**: Year not publicly specified; founded by Los Angeles dog-loving entrepreneurs
- **Founders**: Not publicly named in search results

## Core Business
- Primary industry: Pet services / pet health & wellness
- Target customers: B2C – dog owners in major metro areas who seek convenience and luxury grooming at home
- Mission or purpose statement: “Delivering joy to pets and their people” and “to end traumatic trips to the grooming salon by providing a safe and stress-free mobile grooming experience at your doorstep.”

## Products & Services
- **Barkbus Signature Service**: A one-on-one mobile dog grooming session performed inside a state-of-the-art Mercedes Hanvey grooming van. Includes warm water bath with all-natural products, gentle brushing and blowdry, breed-specific haircut, nail trimming & filing, teeth cleaning, and ear cleaning. No cages, no salon stress.
- **Additional offerings**: Blueberry facials, fur-styling, and other luxury add-ons tailored to each dog.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed (private company)
- **Key Metric**: Total funding not publicly available; headcount ~86 employees (as of mid-2026, +19.4% YoY)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not publicly disclosed. Partners include local animal rescues for community grooming support.
- **Growth Signals**: Rapid geographic expansion – currently operates in 15+ states (AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, NC, NV, NY, PA, TX, VA, and more). Recent entries into Atlanta (June 2024) and Houston (February 2024). Headcount growing ~19% annually. Active job postings: ~30 positions.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Differentiation**: High-end mobile grooming eliminates stressful salon visits; vans are fully self-contained (temperature-controlled, CPR-certified stylists). Concierge team handles all scheduling so groomers can focus 1-on-1 with each dog (only 4–5 dogs per day).
- **Tech-enabled**: Silicon Valley startup approach with seamless booking platform and operational technology (tech stack includes Python, TypeScript, Firebase, etc.).
- **Employee-centric model**: Groomers are supported by a centralized team, reducing burnout. Benefits include 24 paid vacation days, pet insurance, medical/dental/vision, retirement plan, and monthly bonuses.

## Strategic Focus
- Continue national expansion into new metropolitan markets
- Scale the mobile fleet and groomer workforce while maintaining quality and safety standards
- Strengthen brand as the “nation’s beloved pet brand” through community rescue partnerships and premium customer experience

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Values-driven – “Make it Count,” “Enjoy the Ride,” “Keep It Real,” “Strength of the Pack.” Emphasis on authenticity, creativity, resilience, and fun.
- **Benefits**: 24 paid vacation/holiday/sick days per year; pet insurance; medical, dental, vision; retirement plan; monthly bonuses; free snacks/coffee at van hubs.
- **Work environment**: Low-stress, creative, no phones or salon interruptions – groomers are trusted to focus on the dogs. Vans are modern and well-equipped.
- **Growth opportunities**: Rapidly expanding company means room for career progression. Hiring in many states with roles from groomers to corporate positions (operations, marketing, analytics, etc.).

## Sources
1. [barkbus.com/careers](https://www.barkbus.com/careers)
2. [barkbus.com/about](https://www.barkbus.com/about)
3. [linkedin.com/company/barkbus](https://www.linkedin.com/company/barkbus)
4. [barkbus.com](https://www.barkbus.com/)
5. [indeed.com/cmp/Barkbus-2/about](https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Barkbus-2/about)

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