Dog Walker Jobs —
Join the People Fairfax Trusts With Its Pets
Some jobs come with a corner office. This one comes with a Golden Retriever who thinks you hung the moon, and honestly, we like our deal better.
Kim, owner of Walking Wet Noses Dog Walking & Pet Sitting
Working With Us —
A Small Team, by Design
Since 2015, Walking Wet Noses has cared for dogs, cats, rabbits, birds and the occasional very opinionated guinea pig across Fairfax, Oakton, Vienna, Burke, Chantilly, Centreville and Clifton. Our clients hand us their house keys and their family members. We don’t take either lightly.
That trust only works because of the people on our team. Every walk is private, one household at a time, so you really get to know the pets in your care. No juggling a pack of strangers’ dogs, no mixing clients.
And you’re never on your own. Our Administrative Team handles the scheduling puzzles and client questions, and they’re your first call whenever something comes up. That leaves you free to focus on the part that matters: the animals.
“[A real quote from a current team member about what they love.]”
[First name], Pet Care Specialist since [year] · [City], VA
What You’ll Get —
We Take Care of the People Who Take Care of Pets
Our team members are W-2 employees, not app-based gig workers. That means real pay for real work, including the drive between visits, and a few extras we think you’ll appreciate.
You Keep 100% of Your Tips
Every bit of it. When a client says thank you with a little extra, it’s all yours.
Paid Drive Time
The time you spend driving between visits is paid time.
Paid Training
You’ll learn our care standards, on the clock, before your first solo visit.
Retirement Savings
Access to a retirement savings account after six months on the team.
Employee Discounts
Discounts on our services for your own pets.
Daytime Weekday Hours
Your schedule fits inside the weekday, Monday through Friday.
Holiday Pay
Premium pay for any visit you work on a designated company holiday.
A Team Behind You
Our Administrative Team handles scheduling and client questions, and they’re always a call away.
Open Roles —
Where You Might Fit
Pet Care Specialist (Dog Walker)
W-2 · Part-time, year-round · Mon–Fri, 9 AM–4 PM · 5–20 hours a week
Private walks and in-home visits for dogs, cats and small animals across all seven of our service areas. Pick the weekdays that work for you, with a minimum of two consecutive hours a day.
Pay range
$13.75–$17 / hour
Midday Pet Care Specialist (Dog Walker)
W-2 · Part-time, year-round · Mon–Fri, 11 AM–3 PM · Fairfax, Vienna & Oakton
Our midday crew covers the heart of the day, right when dogs need a break most. At least three days a week, with a minimum of three consecutive hours a day.
Pay range
$15–$17 / hour
Pay ranges are posted in good faith.
Who Thrives Here —
Skills Can Be Taught. Love of Pets Can’t.
Many of our best team members came to us without professional pet care experience. We’ll teach you everything, from leash handling to medication schedules.
What we can’t teach is the person who shows up on time, notices when a senior dog is moving a little slower than usual, and treats a stranger’s home with the same care as their own.
You’ll Also Need
Strong time management. Clients book specific visit windows, and pets (and their people) are counting on you to arrive within them.
A team-player mindset. You’ll work solo at visits, but you’re part of a close crew that covers for each other and keeps the office in the loop.
A careful eye for detail. Every client’s instructions live in our scheduling app, and following them exactly, from feeding amounts to which door sticks, is part of the job.
Weekend availability, just in case. We have a dedicated weekend team, so weekend visits are rare. Some of our team members go months between them. We do need everyone available when an unexpected client need comes up. You may also be asked to cover the occasional holiday, which comes with premium pay.
Willingness to travel to visits throughout our service area
A valid driver’s license and a reliable, insured vehicle
A smartphone for our scheduling and visit-report app
The ability to pass a national criminal background check, completed as part of onboarding
How Hiring Works —
Thoughtful on Both Sides
Joining a new team should feel exciting, not intimidating. We keep our hiring process personal, clear and respectful of your time, from your application to your first solo visit.
01
Apply
Choose the role that suits you and complete our short application right on its page.
02
A Phone Conversation
Our office team calls to learn a little about you and answer your questions.
03
An Interview
Your experience, your availability, and your best animal stories.
04
Onboarding
Paperwork, plus a national criminal background check for our clients’ peace of mind.
05
Paid Training
Learn our care standards alongside experienced team members before your first solo visits.
Good Questions —
Before You Apply
Do I need professional pet care experience?
Not necessarily. Experience helps, but we provide paid training. Reliability and a real love for animals matter most.
Is this a W-2 job or contractor work?
Both of our open roles are W-2, part-time, year-round positions. You’re an employee of Walking Wet Noses, with paid training and paid drive time.
How many hours can I expect?
Pet Care Specialists typically work 5 to 20 hours a week. Midday Pet Care Specialists work at least 9 hours a week: three or more days, with at least three hours each day. You choose the weekdays that work for you, and you’re welcome to pick up more work as it becomes available. If your availability changes, just let our Administrative Team know.
Are these group walks?
Never. Every walk is private: one household per walk, up to two dogs from the same home, and never mixed with other clients.
Do I keep my tips?
Yes, 100% of them.
Will I have to work weekends?
Rarely. We have team members dedicated to weekend care, so you’ll only be asked to step in when an unexpected client need comes up. Some of our team members go months between weekend visits. We do ask everyone to be available for those moments, and for the occasional holiday, which comes with premium pay.
Which areas will I work in?
Our team travels throughout Fairfax, Oakton, Vienna, Burke, Chantilly, Centreville and Clifton, and we build routes as close together as we can.
Who do I go to if I have a question or concern?
Our Administrative Team. They handle scheduling and client communication and are your first call for anything that comes up on the job. Day-to-day updates to clients go through visit reports in our app.
Somewhere in Fairfax, a Dog Is Waiting to Meet You
The application takes about 5-10 minutes. If you’d rather talk first, we’d love to hear from you at 703-493-1003.
Walking Wet Noses 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, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.