Reporter - Community Insights, Ann Arbor
About The Position
MLive seeks a news Reporter 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. This position is responsible for using social monitoring tools, search trends, public information feeds, meeting agendas and community conversations to stay on top of daily news and identify the questions readers most need answered. The reporter should be able to move quickly from listening to reporting: producing timely updates and explainers, making calls, getting into the community and advancing stories people are already talking about — not simply following the narrative leaders in government, business or other institutions want us to push. Candidates should also feel comfortable using AI responsibly as a tool to work smarter, surface story ideas, build context and go deeper on important topics.
Requirements
- 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.
- 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.
Nice To Haves
- Produce a TikTok or other social video when the story calls for it.
- Dig into longer enterprise work that helps readers understand their community.
- Listens closely to the buzz in the community, and turns that curiosity into useful, trusted journalism.
- 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.
Responsibilities
- Using social monitoring tools, search trends, public information feeds, meeting agendas and community conversations to stay on top of daily news and identify the questions readers most need answered.
- Producing timely updates and explainers.
- Making calls, getting into the community and advancing stories people are already talking about.
- Using AI responsibly as a tool to work smarter, surface story ideas, build context and go deeper on important topics.
- Filing FOIAs, building a strong and varied source network, asking rigorous questions and explaining how local decisions affect daily life.
- Appearing on camera and producing short, engaging social videos that bring reporting to wider audiences.
- Understanding where local residents are talking, what they are asking and how to turn that curiosity into useful, repeatable coverage formats.
- Balancing fast, accurate daily updates with enterprise, accountability and explanatory stories that build reader trust and habit.
Benefits
- Committed to professional development
- Opportunity to work with talented editors who will help you grow and fine-tune your skills.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Associate degree
