Environmental Reporter

MLive seeks an environmental reporter to join a dynamic three-person reporting team covering statewide environmental issues, such as climate change, energy, natural resources, the Great Lakes, pollution and more.

This role would have a focus on being a watchdog for Michigan utilities across the state, including rate increases, grid issues, the impacts of power outages, as well as a focus on agriculture and natural resources in Michigan.

The ideal candidate will:

• Be knowledgeable on Michigan's utility structure and the big players and the regulatory system overseeing it.
• Be a watchdog for Michigan residents worried about grid reliability and rate hikes.
• Be willing to dig into natural resource and land-use issues, such as erosion, hunting vs recreation; the ecosystem and how Michigan's environment sustains it.
• Be knowledgeable on Michigan's agricultural issues as they relate to the environment, climate, and Great Lakes.
• Work closely with the other environmental reporters to cover topics that relate to climate, energy and pollution, as needed.

This role is remote but must be willing to travel as needed. MLive is an award-winning, highly innovative, digital news organization where experimentation and flexibility are a must. We are leaders in digital news, yet our core mission is top-tier journalism.  This role will be a hybrid of breaking news reporting and enterprise work.

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 Flint. 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, including a Pulitzer Prize finalist, and a Michigan journalist of the Year. We routinely win top prizes in investigative journalism, public service and enterprise reporting.
• 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.

What we’ll expect from you:

• Ability to identify and develop important stories that resonate with everyday residents. 
• Familiarity or willingness to learn new tools and software, including our content management system for publishing stories and photographs.  
• Ability to tell stories in smart and engaging ways and a willingness to experiment in different storytelling forms. 
• Degree in journalism, communications or a related field preferred.
• Two years or more of journalism experience with a proven ability in reporting and writing.
• Ability to work independently and remotely.
• This job requires reliable transportation to meet with sources or cover events.