Michigan labor/state workers reporter

USA TODAY Co. • Lansing, MI

2d

About The Position

The Lansing State Journal/lsj.com is seeking a journalist who is passionate about labor and issues of importance to the state of Michigan’s workforce as well as other unionized employees in healthcare, K-12 education and at Michigan State University. This beat is framed around the state’s 53,000 state workers, about 15,000 of which live and work in the Lansing area. This is not a traditional state government reporting position focused on the Legislature or the news of the day from the Capitol. Rather, it’s focused on staffing levels, working conditions, pay, benefits, work-from-home, state office space and other issues involving the state workforce. The successful candidate is expected to be able to attract audience locally and across the state by drilling in on issues that are critical to the state’s workforce. The beat also includes some degree of state politics on a local level for the Greater Lansing region, which includes 12 state legislators and two U.S. House seats.
We’re looking for an experienced journalist who can balance daily journalism with enterprise and investigative reporting, someone who can identify high-interest issues on the beat, cut through the political messaging and produce explanatory and revelatory journalism that is meaningful to readers. The reporter will be expected to identify trends across the region and state, pivot between different topics and consistently produce content that resonates with current readers and helps grow our audience, especially within underserved communities.
The reporter must be attuned to political trends, alliances and influence in polarizing times and deliver coverage that holds public officials accountable and helps readers make informed decisions about their community.
This beat is one of the lead investigative positions in our newsroom. The reporter must excel at developing professional sources, identifying important details in public documents, using FOIA to uncover records and have a dedication to relentless accuracy. The reporter must consistently – and persistently – dig below the surface and bring clarity to the issues they are covering.
The reporter must be able to work collaboratively and effectively in a team with reporters who cover business and development, crime and courts, regional communities, trending news, local government and other topics, and demonstrate an awareness of and adherence to the highest journalistic ethical standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 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 in a fast-paced environment under tight deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively and efficiently with a team of journalists.
• Strong communication skills, news judgment, and headline-writing ability.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including empathy and compassion.
• Proficiency in social media platforms, including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Threads, Instagram, TikTok, and Reddit, with experience engaging readers in this public space.
• Experience shooting and editing photos and videos on an iPhone.
• Excellent writing, spelling, and grammar skills with knowledge of AP style.
• Understanding of media law and principles of ethical conduct.
• This role requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.

Nice To Haves

• Fluency in Spanish is a plus.

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 clear relevance.
• Develops and executes distribution and optimization strategies.
• Delivers strong reader service, helping audiences find answers and solutions.
• Builds trust and credibility within the coverage area.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level