Reporter - Community Insights, Ann Arbor

Nashville Public Radio; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

MLive seeks a News Reporter to cover the University of Michigan and local government in Washtenaw and Livingston counties. We want a reporter who writes sharp stories, produces video scripts, and creates social videos when the story calls for it.

This role rewards curiosity over relying on officials and invites enterprise reporting to inform readers about the community. The ideal candidate will have at least 2 years of experience, a bachelor's degree in journalism, and the ability to work

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications or equivalent.
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience.
• Ability to identify, verify and develop important stories from community signals.
• Experience filing FOIAs and building a source network.
• Comfort appearing on camera and producing social video.
• Digital fluency and audience focus for local discussions.
• Ability to work independently or remotely and in-office.

Responsibilities

• Cover the University of Michigan and local government in Washtenaw and Livingston counties.
• Write sharp stories and strong video scripts.
• Produce social videos when the story calls for it.
• Develop enterprise journalism that informs readers about their community.
• Listen to community buzz and turn curiosity into trusted coverage.

Skills

Journalism

Video production

Social media

FOIA requests

Public records

Interview skills

Audience focus

Fast-paced newsroom

Education

Bachelor's degree in journalism

Tools

Video editing software

Job description

Strengthening and empowering all of the communities we serve.

MLive seeks a newsReporter to cover the University of Michigan and local government in Washtenaw and Livingston counties. We are looking for a reporter who can write sharp stories and strong video scripts, produce a TikTok or other social video when the story calls for it, and dig into longer enterprise work that helps readers understand their community. This role requires someone who does not rely only on officials or institutions for story ideas, but listens closely to the buzz in the community, and turns that curiosity into useful, trusted journalism.

Here’s Why You’ll Want To Work With Us

• We are the state’s largest media organization with newspapers in eight of Michigan’s largest cities, including Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo. We routinely score No. 1 in national audience metrics, guaranteeing that our work reaches millions of readers and has maximum impact.
• Our mission is journalism that makes a difference in the lives of Michiganders. “We comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.”
• Our team of journalists are among the best in the state. Most recently, our investigative work on a dangerous pesticide and its connections with Parkinson’s disease has prompted Michigan and other states to pursue a ban. Impact and accountability reporting are at the core of our mission.
• We are committed to professional development, and you’ll have the opportunity to work with talented editors who will help you grow and fine-tune your skills.

The base salary rage for this role is 50,000 - $65,000 annually.

This role will require reliable transportation to meet with sources and cover events.

Our Ideal Candidate Will Have The Following

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience
• A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience
• Ability to identify, verify and develop important stories that resonate with everyday residents, including ideas surfaced through reader questions, social conversation, search trends and public records.
• Prioritize accountability and service journalism by filing FOIAs, building a strong and varied source network, asking rigorous questions and explaining how local decisions affect daily life.
• Comfort appearing on camera and producing short, engaging social videos that bring reporting to wider audiences.
• Digital fluency and audience focus, including an understanding of where local residents are talking, what they are asking and how to turn that curiosity into useful, repeatable coverage formats.
• Comfort working at a high tempo, balancing fast, accurate daily updates with enterprise, accountability and explanatory stories that build reader trust and habit.
• Ability to work independently and remotely, as well as in the MLive office.
• This job requires reliable transportation to meet with sources or cover events.