VIEW ORIGINAL
VIEW ORIGINAL
ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. —During an installation retirement ceremony, the career of Karen Jobes, an environmental protection specialist with the APG Garrison Directorate of Public Works, was celebrated on Jan. 27 at the Ball Conference Center.
Jobes officially retired on Sept. 30, 2021, with more than 37 years of service.
The program was hosted by Col. Brant Hoskins, deputy commanding officer of the 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives Command. He was assisted by 20th CBRNE Command Sgt. Maj. Jorge Arzabala Jr. Garrison Chaplain Resource Manager Maj. Young Joung provided the invocation.
Jobes received the Civilian Service Commendation Medal, DA certificates of appreciation and retirement, a retirement pin and a Garrison Commanders Coin of Excellence for outstanding performance of duty.
Hoskins said the APG Garrison employees are committed to excellence.
“That is what this garrison does, it ensures American Soldiers are trained and equipped and ready to fight now and in the future,” he said. “While many of these things have changed here over the last 38 years, one thing that didn’t was Karen’s dedication to our Soldiers, civilians and their families.”
As a water protection officer, Jobes ensured the safety of the groundwater on the garrison and the City of Aberdeen.
“Karen ensured that monitoring and testing were conducted correctly and on time,” he said. “The reports that she submitted to the city and state contributed to the health and the safety of the people in this area.”
In addition to being a strong advocate for the garrison’s work with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Maryland Department of the Environment, Jobes took part in many outreach efforts including Arbor Day, Earth Day and waterfront festivals.
Jobes also covered the environmental aspects of real estate actions in the Department of Public Works Real Property Division, he said.
Hoskins said Soldiers are fortunate to have civilians like Jobes help maintain the continuity year after year, to help APG maintain the Army’s Home for Innovation.
“Karen, thank you for your many years of dedicated service to Aberdeen Proving Ground, our Army and our nation,” he said.
Dedicated service
Jobes’ acting branch chief Janmicheal Graine, APG Garrison DPW, gave remarks. He enjoyed working with Jobes because she was flexible and always willing to help. She also participated in the Federal Women’s Program for more than 20 years.
“Thank you for all the work you have done here on post,” he said. “We will truly miss you.”
Vance Hobbs, chief of the Environmental Division APG Garrison DPW, thanked Jobes for “being part of his work family.”
“She always came to work with a smile,” he said. “No task was too big or too small for Karen.”
About Karen Jobes
Jobes was born in Jennersville, Pennsylvania and graduated from Rising Sun High School in 1979. She earned her associate degree in general studies from Cecil Community College in May 1983 and was able to begin her federal service career following graduation, working with the APG Ordnance Center and School as a clerk typist on July 2, 1984.
Jobes’ other positions include Army Garrison, Directorate of Safety, Health and Environment (DSHE) secretary to the Director of Environmental Engineer and Environmental Protection Specialist with the U.S Army Garrison, APG, Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Division, Environmental Compliance Branch, Water Team.
Jobes consistently received exceptional performance ratings from her superiors and was an active member of the APG Federal Women’s Program for more than 20 years.
Some of Jobes’ noteworthy accomplishments include serving as a member of the Environmental Restoration Program Team that received the 2012 Secretary of the Army Environmental Award for Environmental Restoration. This award goes to installations that go above and beyond to improve the quality of the environment. She has also received numerous performance awards over her career.
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