Jennifer Wiechmann has been offered the position as Ward County emergency management director.

The Ward County Commission selected Wiechmann over six applicants Thursday.

Wiechmann received a degree in public service and public policy (emergency management and homeland security) in May 2018 from Arizona State University. She is working toward a master’s in emergency management and homeland security.

She has been self-employed since July 2018 as an exercise planner in emergency management. She has planned and assisted in facilitating full-scale exercises in McLean and Logan counties.

She also is a Minot Rural firefighter, having worked with firefighting, HazMat operations and vehicle extrication for the department since August 2018. She also assists in grant writing.

Wiechmann has performed various tasks to assist Ward County Emergency Management as a intern. Other previous work experience includes supervisor of cleaning/ramp agent at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

The commission selected Wiechmann on a 3-2 vote. Votes against Wiechmann stemmed from the strength of other finalists in the process who were preferences of some commissioners.

The commission had previously selected former Ward County Sheriff Bob Barnard for the position to replace Amanda Schooling. After Barnard declined, the commission re-opened the position.