Job OverviewAs a Companion Animal Specialist you are the primary expert and advocate for the health, welfare, and proper care of companion animals and aquatic life within the Pet Care Center (PCC). You ensure exceptional animal care and habitat maintenance while supporting sales, merchandising, and inventory execution. You partner with the sales team to deliver outstanding customer experience by combining deep animal‑care knowledge with strong operational discipline.Key Responsibilities – Animal Care & MaintenanceEnsure the health, safety, and proper care of all companion animals and aquatic life in accordance with Petco standards, policies, and procedures.Complete and verify required animal care tasks, including hourly animal health checks, wellness documentation, maintenance logs, and incident reports.Ensure proper handling, documentation, and care of relinquished and adoption animals.Serve as the primary resource for animal care education for customers and PCC partners.Adhere to and promote all safety, animal welfare, and loss‑prevention procedures.Verify all animal care and maintenance tasks are completed according to established schedules.Perform routine housekeeping duties: cleaning habitats and tanks, sweeping and mopping floors, dusting, and facing merchandise.Ensure compliance with all regulatory, operational, and safety standards.Customer Experience & Sales SupportProcess register transactions accurately and efficiently.Evaluate customer needs and, when necessary, elevate concerns to the Leader on Duty.Support Omni‑channel and in‑store initiatives through consistent execution and customer engagement.What Success Looks LikeAnimals are healthy, safe, and cared for to Petco's highest standards.Customers trust the team's expertise and return for guidance and solutions.Animal habitats and aquatic areas are clean, compliant, and visually appealing.Inventory and merchandising support sales while minimizing shrink.Partners feel supported and informed through shared animal‑care knowledge.What You Bring – Experience & SkillsMinimum of 1 year of experience working with or caring for companion animals and aquatic life.Strong knowledge of animal care, husbandry, and maintenance practices.Demonstrated ability to educate others and communicate effectively.Strong customer‑service mindset with an aptitude for selling behaviors.Basic business, math, and inventory‑management skills.Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.High school diploma or GED preferred.Completion and ongoing maintenance of the Petco Animal Care Certification Program required.Essential Functions & Work EnvironmentFrequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting.Ability to safely lift and move merchandise, supplies, or animals weighing up to 50 pounds.Regular engagement with customers on the sales floor, including cashiering and point‑of‑sale transactions.Work in proximity to animals, including exposure to dander, odors, noises, and cleaning chemicals.Flexible availability to support Pet Care Center operating hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.Why You'll Love It HerePurpose‑driven work that makes a difference for pets and people.A welcoming, inclusive team environment.Opportunities to learn, grow, and explore career paths.A fun, fast‑paced role where no two days are the same.Start Rate: $16.45Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected classification.#J-18808-Ljbffr