About Us

NOVA Geotechnical & Inspection Services (NOVA), formerly Owens Geotechnical, Inc. (OGI), was established in 2001 in Las Vegas, NV to provide geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, soils inspection and testing, construction materials testing and special inspections to the Las Vegas Valley and surrounding areas. Led by James Bristow, a creative materials engineer, and Martin Jensen, one of Nevada’s most established and well-respected geotechnical engineers, NOVA has provided the highest quality of services required and expected. With 30+ years of knowledge and technical expertise, you will find the difference James, Martin, and their team of professionals make to be significantly beneficial to your projects. NOVA’s recommendations have saved our clients time and money while also striving to minimize liabilities and promote an efficient construction process. NOVA’s professional staff of engineers, geologists, scientists, inspectors, technicians, and specialty consultants has over 100 years of collective engineering and construction experience and 300 certifications and/or licenses.

In May 2020, NOVA announced a significant partnership with Universal Engineering Sciences. The company is now known as NOVA Geotechnical & Inspection Services, A Universal Engineering Sciences Company. More details on this exciting partnership can be found here.

LATEST GENERATION COMMUNICATION TOOLS
NOVA team members are provided with the latest generation communication tools which allow us to work rapidly, efficiently, and economically.

OVER 50 CLARK COUNTY CERTIFIED INSPECTORS
NOVA’s special inspectors and construction testing technicians have undergone a thorough certification process that will ensure that your project is built per plan and with quality materials. A thorough understanding of sampling techniques, testing procedures, verification procedures, and the application of various building materials is what differentiates a NOVA special inspector.

LEARNING EXPERIENCE THROUGH GENERATIONS
NOVA currently has three generations of Professional Engineers, engineers in training and engineering and science students. NOVA combines some of the most experienced professionals, many of which have worked for prestigious national consulting firms and public agencies.

 

GREEN OUR PLANET – HELEN JYDSTRUP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Since 2017 NOVA has partnered with Green Our Planet to build Jydstrup Elementary School an outdoor learning space & garden beads for students to learn about gardening.

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CONSULTING MEETINGS
Lunch & Learn doesn’t have to be a lesson. What’s different about ours is that it’s unique to each project. Even though we all work together in the same industry, we’re on different teams & we might not know what everyone is working on all the time. These NOVA presentations help our outside team members to understand our work & our continuous efforts throughout the project process.

PROMOTING TEAMWORK
Trust can only be built through respectful interactions & cooperative teamwork between employees. By continuously engaging employees professionally & setting the bar high where it comes to interpersonal skills & communications standards, others are encouraged to do the same.

 

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“LEARNERS TO LEADERS” INTERNSHIP
James started in this program himself 12 years ago under Mr. Mark Owens. His success in the program is the reason that James continues to utilize the program as a vital part of NOVA’S staffing efforts.

 

REPORTING & SCHEDULING OPERATIONS
NOVA possesses the latest generation of scheduling & planning software for all members’ daily field & office assignments.

 

Reporting & Scheduling Operations

PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT

APWA
NSPE
ASCE
AEG

& Others

SUMMER INTERNSHIP

Clark County’s Summer Business Institute Program

Clark County Nevada
NOVA personnel have found that working for a locally owned firm is more rewarding. That’s why NOVA also reaches out to middle schools and high schools as part of our community outreach programs.