Visual journalist, Milwaukee neighborhoods reporting initiative
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is seeking a community-focused and public-service driven photojournalist for our new neighborhoods initiative, a grant-funded pilot project launching in early 2025. If you're looking for a photography position that gives you an opportunity to make a huge impact in a Milwaukee neighborhood and be part of a ground-breaking effort in local journalism, read on.
With unprecedented grant support from major foundations in the community, this effort will launch in three Milwaukee neighborhoods. The visual journalist will be part of a team that will pioneer a listen-first approach with a goal of elevating neighborhood voices by positioning journalists as helper figures who will inform and empower residents, amplify their voices and explore solutions to the problems they see.
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The team will include an editor and three reporters. Our aim is to add an engagement specialist as additional grant funding becomes available. While members of the team will spend most of their time inside neighborhoods, they will have the collaboration and support of the Journal Sentinel's award-winning newsroom to help elevate and scale their work.
We want someone who understands the powerful role visuals storytelling plays in reaching new audiences and who is committed to high-quality journalism at every level. The ideal candidate must have the ability to work comfortably in diverse communities.
Being part of this three-year pilot project will require a photojournalist who relishes the opportunity to innovate, experiment and be deeply embedded in neighborhoods. If you don't have every skill listed, please don't rule yourself out - let's talk about whether you would be the right fit.
Responsibilities:
- Tell stories that meet deadlines in formats determined to best meet reader needs, such as newsletters, texts, social media posts, etc.
- Schedule regular office hours across neighborhood locations and attend listening sessions organized by neighborhood team editor.
- Attend a broad-range of neighborhood and community events.
- Work collaboratively within the newsroom and community, putting a premium on teamwork and problem-solving.
- Help identify and execute a strategy to deliver content to neighbors.This could range from utilizing newsletters and commonly used apps to traditional flyers.
- Assist neighborhood residents in connecting with opportunities to contribute photos and videos for opinion pieces or take part in events, with a constant aim of elevating community voices in multiple ways and formats.
- Create quality visual storytelling using photography, videography and text that informs, entertains and engages our audience.
- Experiment with video for YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and other emerging platforms.
- Experience using video editing software, such as Adobe Premiere, and comfort using streaming and audio technology.
- Use audience metrics to assist in making coverage decisions.
- Collaborate and connect with the community through visual storytelling and outreach (social media, on camera, forums, community leadership, etc.)
- Work with editors and other journalists to evaluate what works and what doesn't and develops ongoing plans to satisfy audience needs.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's or master's in communications, journalism, photography or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- A minimum of 2-to-3 years of experience. Experience with multimedia storytelling techniques on multiple platforms.
- Ability to prioritize work and meet demanding deadlines.
- Good verbal and written communication skills.
- Proficiency in social media and multi-media tools (text, photo, audio, video). The photojournalist will need to use a variety of tools and techniques to reach neighbors.
- Comfort frequently working outside of the office in neighborhood locations with a variety of diverse stakeholders and personalities.
- Exceptional core photojournalism skills (reporting, photography and videography).
- Ability to use basic and advanced computer programs, including but not limited to video editing software including Premiere Pro, Adobe Photoshop and Photo Mechanic.
Application Instructions
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:
1. Your resume - one to two pages.
2. A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
3. Links to your work samples.
It is important that 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.
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