Labor Reporter — Michigan Workforce Beat

USA TODAY Co., Inc.; Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

USA TODAY Co., Inc. seeks an experienced journalist to cover labor and state workforce issues in Michigan, with emphasis on enterprise reporting and accountability.

The beat focuses on state workers, education, healthcare, and related topics, delivering clear, sourced, and context-rich stories that engage readers locally and statewide. The role requires strong reporting discipline, ethics, and the ability to collaborate across desks, while developing sources and using documents/FOIA to reveal

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or equivalent.
• Minimum of two years of reporting experience.
• Energetic self-starter and quick thinker who can identify stories that matter.
• Ability to multitask and perform well under tight deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a team of journalists.
• Strong communication skills, news judgment, and headline-writing ability.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including empathy and compassion.
• Proficiency with social media platforms and reader engagement.
• Experience shooting/editing photos and videos on an iPhone.
• Excellent writing, spelling, and grammar; knowledge of AP style.
• Understanding of media law and ethical standards.
• Spanish language skills are a plus.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

• Identifies key issues through source development, data analysis and document reporting.
• Shapes coverage with independent judgment and strategic insight.
• Collaborates closely with editors to set priorities and deadlines.
• Produces high-impact, multi-platform work with a disciplined approach.
• Uses audience metrics to inform coverage plans and meet reader needs.
• Writes clearly and concisely with strong nut graphs and relevance.
• Develops and executes distribution and optimization strategies.
• Delivers reader-focused reporting and credible accountability coverage.

Skills

Bachelor's degree

2+ years reporting

Self-starter

Multitasking

Team collaboration

News judgment

Headline writing

Interpersonal skills

Social media proficiency

iPhone photo/video editing

AP style

Media law knowledge

Spanish (plus)

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree in journalism/communications

Tools

iPhone video editing

Job description

USA TODAY Co., Inc. seeks an experienced journalist to cover labor and state workforce issues in Michigan, with emphasis on enterprise reporting and accountability.

The beat focuses on state workers, education, healthcare, and related topics, delivering clear, sourced, and context-rich stories that engage readers locally and statewide. The role requires strong reporting discipline, ethics, and the ability to collaborate across desks, while developing sources and using documents/FOIA to reveal