NOTE: When you apply, please upload your resume, cover letter, and a writing sample all together in one document under the resume portion
Supporting the mission and priorities of the Archbishop of Detroit, the News Reporter produces compelling, timely and relevant content for Detroit Catholic and the Archdiocese of Detroit’s other media platforms, conducting interviews, taking photographs, and writing stories of interest to southeast Michigan’s diverse 900,000 Catholics. Working closely with the Editor-in-Chief of Detroit Catholic, the News Reporter is responsible for covering the full life of the archdiocese, from major events and initiatives to the ordinary, often unseen moments that reflect the vitality of parish life. This role includes a mix of feature writing, news reporting, photography, event coverage and routine assignments, some of which take place on nights and weekends.
Duties/Responsibilities
- Interview, research and write three to four local news and feature articles per week, often on tight deadlines
- Travel to attend Masses, events and interviews throughout the six-county Archdiocese of Detroit, including some evenings and weekends
- Write and create content in a variety of formats, from news to social media to long-form narratives on Church issues primarily within the archdiocese, but also of national and global interest with an eye to how it relates to local Catholics
- Pursue and develop story leads, sources and contacts, building and maintaining respectful relationships with clergy and lay Church leaders
- Capture, edit and coordinate multimedia assets, including photography, video and audio content to accompany coverage
- Assist with editing functions for a daily online publication, including news stories, wire content, sports, obituaries, email, social media platforms and multimedia (photo/video/audio) assets
- Prepare content for publication using an online content management system (CMS)
- Adhere to Detroit Catholic and Archdiocese of Detroit styles, norms and practices including Associated Press (AP) Style and the Our Sunday Visitor (OSV) Style guide.
- Maintain confidentiality of correspondence, conversations and materials processed through the Department of Communications and its affiliated departments and ministries
- Maintain respect at all times for the Catholic Church and its moral and theological beliefs, precepts, leadership, structure and practices, especially as portrayed in news and feature stories
- Demonstrate professionalism, discretion and sound judgment in all interactions with sources, Church leadership and the public
- Supervisory Responsibilities
- This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities.
Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
- Excellent English writing and communication skills, including an impeccable command of grammar, punctuation and AP style
- Strong interviewing and interpersonal skills both in person and by phone with high professionalism
- Ability to manage multiple projects and work assignments with a variety of coworkers, freelancers, clients, and volunteers on tight deadlines
- Comprehensive knowledge of the Catholic Church, including policy and cultural issues facing the Church in Michigan, the U.S., and globally
- Experience operating a digital SLR camera and taking publication-quality photographs (required)
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, especially Photoshop and Lightroom for photo editing, is strongly desired
- Strong critical thinking and analytical skills; high level of accuracy; exceptional attention to detail
Education and Experience Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism, English, communications or related field
- At least two years of experience in a content writing, journalism or corporate communications-related role, ideally within a mission-driven or institutional context
Physical Requirements
- Prolonged sitting at a desk with repetitive motion working on a computer.
- Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at a time.
- May involve some standing, bending, and walking.
Travel Requirements
- Must have a valid driver’s license, safe driving record, reliable transportation, and ability to travel throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit.
Additional Requirements
- Must agree, upon acceptance of an offer of employment with the Archdiocese of Detroit, not to engage in, nor to endorse, any actions or beliefs contrary to the teaching and standards of the Roman Catholic faith and morality.
- Must demonstrate understanding, respect and support for Roman Catholic Church teaching, mission and values.
- Must have knowledge of the Roman Catholic faith, its institutions, policies and practices.
- Must maintain strict confidentiality regarding any archdiocesan information gained within the Archdiocese of Detroit, especially highly sensitive material such as protected Personally Identifiable Information and financial information.
Other Duties
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Affirmative Action/EEO Statement
The Archdiocese of Detroit is an equal opportunity employer and does not illegally discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, height, weight, genetic information, or marital or other legally protected status. The Archdiocese of Detroit is committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity and encourages applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans, and persons with disabilities.
