News Reporter

Gongwer News Service, Michigan’s premier publication on state government and politics, seeks a staff writer to join its reporting team. The staff writer’s beat will involve coverage of state departments and agencies, elections and other state government news.

For more than 60 years, Gongwer has been a place where journalists can build a career covering the unpredictable and exciting world of Michigan government and politics. Gongwer puts a priority on mentoring and caring for its employees with ample opportunities for advancement. Our current executive editor started at Gongwer as the House reporter, and our managing editor started at Gongwer as an intern.

Gongwer has a long tradition of providing competitive salaries and outstanding benefits not generally found in the journalism industry. In the past 15 years, while the rest of the news industry has slashed the size of its staff and cut pay, Gongwer has expanded its team and continued to increase salaries.

Gongwer staff receive strong benefits rare in journalism – an employer match and profit-sharing contribution for their 401(k), a top-rated health insurance plan and other insurance, paid vacation and offices for each employee. Gongwer offers a flexible work environment and the option to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays and when the Legislature is not in session.

Another benefit Gongwer employees receive are paid days off on all state government holidays. That’s 13 additional paid days off a year in addition to vacation time.

Gongwer’s workplace culture is one of teamwork and collaboration.

Covering the governor’s administration is a beat with considerable autonomy and opportunity for enterprise. Additionally, the administration reporter assists with coverage of the Legislature and the governor.

Because Gongwer’s reporters and editors are known for their expertise, they are frequently asked to participate as guests on television news programs and for interviews by radio networks.

Candidates should have a passion for reporting on politics, government and policy.

Candidates should be able to balance handling anywhere from one to four stories per day with producing enterprise stories. They also need to balance generating their own story ideas with those assigned to them.

Reporters can step off their beat for a time to work on enterprise projects.

In-person work will generally take place in downtown Lansing. However, reporters are occasionally assigned to events that require driving to different parts of Michigan.

Applicants should submit a resume, links to or copies of four to six clips of their work and a cover letter to Executive Editor and Publisher Zach Gorchow via email at zgorchow@gongwer.com by January 12.