Eric B. Johnson
Eric Johnson is a Maintenance Mechanic at the Columbia River Research Laboratory, where he maintains critical facility and laboratory systems that ensure safe, efficient, and continuous scientific operations supporting WFRC research.
Eric Johnson is a Maintenance Mechanic for the U.S. Geological Survey’s Western Fisheries Research Center, providing essential multi-trade facility support at the Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL). As the laboratory’s only dedicated maintenance mechanic, he performs journeyman-level carpentry, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, pipefitting, fabrication, welding, and general building maintenance to ensure uninterrupted operation of research infrastructure.
Eric oversees daily operation, repair, and preventive maintenance of complex mechanical systems, including HVAC units, boilers, chillers, refrigeration systems, blowers, cooling towers, DI/UV water treatment systems, pumps, motors, valves, steam systems, lab air and vacuum lines, and emergency diesel generators. He maintains wet and dry labs, artificial streams, pump structures, administrative buildings, quarters, storage areas, and research support facilities.
He uses Building Automation Systems (BAS) and Facility Maintenance Management Systems (FMMS) to monitor and troubleshoot environmental controls, maintain system logs, and ensure accurate documentation of maintenance activities. Eric provides technical recommendations on tools, materials, and methods, and fabricates custom components needed for fisheries research operations.
Eric also serves as a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), manages purchase card administration, and oversees contractor compliance for fire suppression systems, alarms, electrical upgrades, and security infrastructure. His work directly supports research continuity and safe laboratory operations across WFRC.
Eric frequently provides support to additional WFRC facilities, including Seattle, Marrowstone, Clarkston, Cook, and Willard. His responsibilities have included facility security upgrades, project documentation for major renovations, IT relocation support, chlorination system improvements, and emergency travel assignments that prevented operational disruptions. His contributions have saved government resources and improved research continuity.
Eric’s performance has been consistently rated Outstanding. He is recognized for proactive problem-solving, innovative maintenance solutions, and dependable facility support during challenging operational periods, including government shutdowns. He received a Star Award for exemplary multi-site support across WFRC laboratories.