If you care passionately about informing readers about health-related topics and giving Milwaukee residents the information they need to navigate complicated systems, then the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service wants to hear from you.

We seek a reporter who can dig into issues such as the city’s ongoing lead crisis; infant mortality; the lingering effects of COVID; and how residents can live healthier lives. We want someone who can aggressively and masterfully cover the Milwaukee Health Department and other governmental entities while shining a light –and solutions–on health disparities that plague our communities of color in Milwaukee.

You will also be a key contributor to News 414, a reader-engagement initiative that  delivers resources to community residents via texts and other forms of outreach.

Because we serve Black and Brown communities that have been misrepresented, ignored or only get media attention when there is crime and conflict, NNS has a three-pronged editorial agenda.

We celebrate the resilience of residents by consistently and unapologetically spotlighting the good works of our community leaders and organizations. We educate our readers by connecting them to resources that can help uncomplicate their busy lives. And we illuminate through good shoe-leather watchdog reporting issues that create much-needed dialogue while holding institutions and leaders accountable.

This job requires curiosity, creativity and tenacity. We seek reporters who have initiative, resolve and the willingness to dig deep while simultaneously centering the voices of communities of color into their stories. We are not looking for stenographers who summarize meetings or rewrite news releases. Instead, we seek journalists who can connect the dots and deliver insightful stories that leave our readers better informed.

What you can expect from us

The Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service (NNS) is an ambitious nonprofit newsroom that serves the city’s Black and Latinx communities. Our readers are our neighbors and filling their information needs is our top priority.

We are a division of Wisconsin Watch, a statewide nonprofit that focuses on high-quality, impactful journalism, and have offices in Marquette University’s Diederich College of Communication.

We value collaboration, communication and creativity. And we hire people for who they are … and for what they can become. We want everyone to win.

What makes an outstanding candidate

You’re a good fit if:

• You have a demonstrated commitment to the use of investigative journalism and you live to develop and execute sustained, powerful stories that spur reform.
• You are organized and can handle multiple projects under tight deadlines.
• You have a collaborative spirit and want to work with a team to give central city Milwaukee residents the journalism they want, need and deserve. You believe that we are all stronger together.
• You believe that legacy models for local media’s business and journalism are broken and that new approaches are needed to serve the public and our democracy.
• You have sharp news judgment and a strong record of detailed reporting and powerful storytelling.
• You are obsessed with accuracy and transparency.
• You have adept interviewing skills: This reporter will need to talk to high-level officials and neighborhood residents.
• You have some proficiency – or at least interest – in working with data and public records.
• You have strong people skills and an affinity for working with others.
• You believe in our North Star: to give Milwaukee residents the newsroom they deserve

 Audio or video reporting skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

The reporter will: 

• Work with the managing editor to strategize, frame, report and write news and feature stories. 
• Develop sources in the medical community and engage members of the public in identifying the information gaps that need to be filled. 
• Write two to three stories a week and contribute to community engagement efforts.

Location: The reporter will be based in Milwaukee. Some evening and weekend work is necessary. We have a hybrid workplace and expect you to be more in the community than in our office.

We know no one is perfect

We expect great things. But we know no one can have all the skills listed above. So apply anyway.

We encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people, veterans and people with disabilities. We believe that a newsroom that includes a broad range of life experiences will ultimately produce better journalism.

What we want to see from you

• A cover letter telling us why you seek the position and why you are the right person for our team.
• A resume
• Links or PDF files of at least three examples of your best work.

How much does the position pay?

The salary range for this position is $40,000 to $45,000 a year plus health and other benefits

Have questions?

You can reach out to Executive Director Ron Smith and discuss this position. He can be reached at rsmith@milwaukeenns.org. Please put “Health Reporter” in the e-mail subject line.

Now go ahead and apply

Submit you application here