Environmental Reporter

Position : Environmental Reporter

Location : Grand Rapids, MI

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are at the core of our mission to strengthen and empower the communities we serve.

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.

Advance Local Media offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package with affordable options for your healthcare including medical, dental and vision plans, mental health support options, flexible spending accounts, fertility assistance, a competitive 401(k) plan to help plan for your future, generous paid time off, paid parental and caregiver leave and an employee assistance program to support your work/life balance, optional legal assistance, life insurance options, as well as flexible holidays to honor cultural diversity.

MLive Media Group is an audience-first, digitally focused media company encompassing all content, sales and marketing operations for: ~~~, The Grand Rapids Press, The Muskegon Chronicle, Kalamazoo Gazette, The Jackson Citizen Patriot, The Ann Arbor News, The Flint Journal, The Saginaw News, The Bay City Times and the Advance Weeklies in Grand Rapids, as well as several related entities. In addition to being Michigan's #1 news and information provider, MLive Media Group is Michigan's largest local media advertising network, allowing advertisers to reach local audiences in communities across the state.

MLive Media Group is a part of Advance Local Media, one of the largest media groups in the United States, which operates the leading news and information companies in more than 20 cities, reaching 58+ million people monthly with our quality, real-time journalism and community engagement. Our company is built upon the values of Integrity, Customer-first, Inclusiveness, Collaboration and Forward-looking. For more information about Advance Local, please visit ~~~ .

Advance Local Media is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, and is proud to be an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, encouraging applications from people of all backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or any other category protected under federal, state or local law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact Human Resources and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

Advance Local does not provide sponsorship for work visas or employment authorization in the United States. Only candidates who are legally authorized to work in the U.S. will be considered for this position.