Education and Enterprise Reporter

Are passionate about education and able to write about education in a way that can engage, entertain and inform audiences?

The Livingston Daily/livingstondaily.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking an education and enterprise reporter to cover Michigan's Livingston County, among other human interest and enterprise stories in the community. This beat includes five school districts (Hartland, Brighton, Howell, Fowlerville and Pinckney), along with the boards that run them. The right candidate will cover daily stories and in-depth reporting, as needed, on lawsuits, policy, elections and student impact. We are seeking a journalist who wants to lead coverage for the region and can develop sources. This person should enjoy speaking with real people, including parents, teachers and others affected by board policy and state laws. We need a reporter who isn’t afraid to ask the hard questions and doesn’t settle for limits set by school districts’ PIOs.

This reporter should not be afraid to hold public officials accountable. Experience with public records requests, deciphering agendas and contracts and working with databases is preferred. Equity and inclusion are central to our reporting and we need a reporter who shares the mission of including the vast array of viewpoints, including a diversity of ages, genders, races, religions and physical and mental abilities.

Responsibilities:

Work toward becoming the county’s leading voice in education reporting.
Connect with the community through storytelling.
Provide thoughtful analysis of complex issues.
Work with your editor to evaluate what's working and what's not and develop ongoing plans to better reach audience needs.
Capture high-res photos and video as needed.

Requirements:

Bachelor's or master’s in communications, journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
At least two years of reporting experience in a daily newsroom preferred.
Strong communication skills, news judgment and headline-writing ability.
Strong interpersonal skills, including empathy and compassion.
Proficiency on social media platforms; including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and experience engaging readers in this public space.
Energetic self-starter and a fast thinker who can spot stories that matter.
Experience shooting and editing photos and video.
Ability to multitask and excel in a fast-paced environment under intense deadline pressure.
Ability to work collaboratively and efficiently with a team of journalists.
Strong writing, spelling and grammar skills and knowledge of AP style.
Command 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.
Employment is contingent on passing a post-offer pre-employment background check, motor vehicle record check and drug screen.

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:

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

It's important 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.