Government Watchdog Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Lansing State Journal/lsj.com is looking for a reporter to cover local government and community issues in Greater Lansing, with an emphasis on the city of Lansing, Ingham County, related agencies and more than $1 billion in annual tax revenue. We’re looking for a journalist who brings the skills, persistence and empathy to make a difference in our diverse community and is willing to find new ways to engage with our audiences.

This is not a job where the reporter recounts what happened at meetings. Rather, we’re looking for someone who can balance daily journalism with enterprise and investigative reporting, someone who can identify high-interest issues in the community, 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 the lead investigative position 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 and other topics, and demonstrate an awareness of and adherence to the highest journalistic ethical standards.
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 highimpact, multiplatform 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.

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.
• Fluency in Spanish is a plus.
• This role requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.
  

Application Instructions

We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role. When you apply, don’t limit your upload to a resume; show us what you’ve done. To do so, put together a single document file that includes the following, in this order:

1. Your resume – one to two pages.
2. A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
3. Links to 3-6 online samples of your work. Show us what best reflects what you can do in your desired role.

It is important that these items be assembled into a single document and uploaded in PDF format. Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.

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