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Volunteer Work

Downtown Chattanooga TN

Continue Serving. Continue Making a Difference.

Bicentennial Volunteers, Incorporated offers meaningful volunteer opportunities for TVA retirees and professionals who want to stay connected, serve their communities, and continue supporting the Tennessee Valley.

Explore Volunteer Opportunities
Become a Volunteer

Volunteer Opportunities

Since its founding in 1975, BVI has provided TVA retirees and former employees with meaningful ways to remain connected to TVA’s mission and the communities of the Tennessee Valley.

Our volunteers support a variety of programs and initiatives across the region, contributing their time, experience, and professionalism to assignments that strengthen public service efforts.

Volunteer opportunities include:

  • Staffing TVA visitor centers across the Tennessee Valley
  • Assisting with nuclear plant drills and graded exercises at Browns Ferry, Watts Bar, and Sequoyah
  • Supporting water monitoring and environmental stewardship programs
  • Assisting with the Wildflower Program at Norris
  • Working with the Garden Program in Muscle Shoals
  • Participating in public education and outreach initiatives

Volunteers may serve in multiple programs based on interest, availability, and organizational needs.

Travel expenses associated with approved volunteer assignments are reimbursed, ensuring retirees can continue serving without financial burden.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Spotlights

The strength of BVI lies in the dedication and experience of its volunteers.

Each individual brings unique expertise and a shared commitment to service. Quarterly volunteer spotlights highlight the individuals who continue to serve with professionalism, enthusiasm, and purpose.

The Water Quality Monitoring Program class developed by TVA for grade school students has been very successful in educating kids about who we are, what we do and how we manage the Tennessee Valley rivers and lakes.

A small group of BVI volunteers have taught classes at several local grade schools during the past school year. The classes have been well received by the teachers as well as the students. Typically, the students have very little knowledge about TVA however by the end of the class they have had hands on testing experience, evaluated the results of their testing and have a much better understanding of TVA and the important role we play on providing electricity to the valley while protecting the rivers and lakes.

The enthusiasm and engagement of the students have been such a rewarding opportunity for the BVI instructors who have participated.

Don Johnson

BVI volunteer

“In May 1963, in Muscle Shoals, I attended the 30th Anniversary of TVA. The keynote speaker was the President of the United States, John F Kennedy. I was just a young teen getting out of school for a day.  As I listened, I had never thought much about TVA and the benefits the people of the Valley gained by TVA’s role here. Years later (and more mature), I walked by that same building each day, on my way into work for TVA, often remembering the day I saw the President.  Today, as BVI volunteers, my wife and I love meeting and sharing with visitors (especially those from other regions of our country or other countries in the world) about the history of what they are seeing and how TVA impacted the region they are visiting on a day in their lives. “
Lile Bickley

BVI volunteer

Our Volunteer Impact

For over five decades, BVI has strengthened TVA’s presence across the region through dependable service and community engagement.

Our annual impact includes:

343 STEM grants given to Tennessee Valley teachers

160,000 visitors to the TVA Visitors Center

2,100 robotics teams entered into competitions

Annually, over 250 volunteers engage

Through consistent participation and professional commitment, BVI volunteers help ensure that TVA’s public-facing programs remain welcoming, informative, and effective.

RCC Job Position

Become a Volunteer

Retirement does not mean stepping away from service. Through BVI, TVA retirees can remain actively engaged in meaningful programs that strengthen communities across the Tennessee Valley.

If you are interested in volunteering, we encourage you to apply online. Our team will review your submission and provide additional information about available opportunities.

Volunteering through BVI offers:

  • Continued connection to TVA’s mission
  • Meaningful ways to contribute your expertise
  • Reimbursement for approved travel expenses
  • Opportunities to serve alongside fellow retirees
Apply Now

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of volunteer roles are available through BVI?

BVI offers a variety of volunteer opportunities, including staffing TVA visitor centers, supporting public education programs, assisting with environmental initiatives, and participating in nuclear plant drills and exercises.

Do I need prior TVA experience to volunteer with BVI?

Many volunteers are TVA retirees, but individuals with relevant Federal agency experience and a desire to serve may also be considered depending on program needs.

Are volunteer positions paid?

BVI volunteer roles are unpaid; however, approved travel expenses associated with volunteer assignments are reimbursed.

How often are volunteers expected to serve?

Volunteer commitments vary based on the assignment. Some roles involve regular shifts, while others are project-based or occasional opportunities.

Where are volunteer opportunities located?

Volunteer assignments are available across the Tennessee Valley, including TVA visitor centers, public facilities, and environmental program locations.

Will I receive training before volunteering?

Yes, volunteers receive orientation and guidance specific to their roles to ensure they are prepared and confident in their assignments.

Is training offered in order to work at a visitor center?

Yes, BVI does a yearly training session in Chattanooga, Kentucky, Knoxville (or Norris), and Muscle Shoals. In addition, new volunteers are scheduled with seasoned volunteers on their first shift.

Can I participate in multiple volunteer programs?

Yes, volunteers may have the opportunity to participate in multiple programs based on their interests, availability, and organizational needs.

What is in the visitor centers?

The visitor centers house displays that provide information about TVA history, its electric system, and the management of the Tennessee River and its tributaries. BVI volunteers serve as guides at the visitor centers to answer questions about TVA, the history of the facilities, and the surrounding areas.

Which visitor centers are staffed with BVI volunteers?

Fontana Dam, Kentucky Dam, Norris Dam, and Raccoon Mountain Pumped Storage Facility are staffed with BVI Volunteers. Norris Dam and Raccoon Mountain Pumped Storage Facility are staffed with volunteers who live within commuting distance. Fontana Dam and Kentucky Dam are staffed with volunteers located in the Tennessee Valley.

Do I have to have a recreational vehicle (RV) to work at Kentucky Dam?

Yes, BVI rents campground lots for volunteers to stay at when volunteering at Kentucky Dam.

Where do I stay if I volunteer at Fontana?

BVI rents 2-bedroom, 2-bath cabins at Fontana Village for volunteers.

Do I get paid mileage to work at visitor center?

Yes. BVI pays the current government mileage rate per mile from home to the visitor center, to and from the visitor center during the volunteer’s stay, then from the visitor center back home. BVI does the same for volunteers pulling a RV; however, they are reimbursed a bit more than the current government mileage rate per mile.

Do I get paid for meals when on duty?

Yes, BVI pays $17 per person for each meal while on duty or in travel status.

Do I need to be a TVA retiree to be able to volunteer?

BVI prefers that the volunteers are TVA retirees or former TVA employees.

What are the hours of operation at the visitor centers?

Fontana Dam

  • Opens first Saturday in April and closes last Sunday in October
  • 9 am to 7 pm, April through August
  • 9 am to 6 pm, September through October

Kentucky Dam

  • Opens first Saturday in April and closes last Sunday in October
  • 9 am to 5 pm, April through October

Norris Dam

  • Opens first Saturday in April and closes Sunday before Thanksgiving
  • 10 am to 4 pm, Monday through Saturday
  • 1 pm to 4 pm, Sunday

Raccoon Mountain Pumped Storage Facility

  • 9 am to 5 pm, April through October
  • 11 am to 3 pm, November through March

Where are the visitor centers located?

Fontana Dam is located off North Carolina Highway 28 near the Tennessee border.

Kentucky Dam is located off U.S. Highway 62 east coming from Paducah, Kentucky, or west from Clarksville, Tennessee

Norris Dam is located off Interstate 75, Exit 122 north of Knoxville.

Raccoon Mountain/Laurel Point are located off Raccoon Mountain Road near U.S. Highway 64/72 west of Chattanooga.

What are the shifts for the volunteers?

Fontana Dam

  • April through August, two people work a 9 am to 2 pm shift, and two other people work a 2 pm to 7 pm shift.
  • September through October, two people work a 9 am to 1:30 pm shift, and two other people work a 1:30 pm to 6 pm shift.

Kentucky Dam

  • April through October, two people work a 9 am to 1 pm shift, and two other people work a 1 pm to 5 pm shift.

Norris Dam

  • One or two people work the 10 am to 4 pm shift, Monday through Saturday.
  • One or two people work the 1 pm to 4 pm shift on Sunday.

Raccoon Mountain Pumped Storage Facility

  • April through October – One or two people work the 9 am to 1 pm shift, then another one or two people work the 1 pm to 5 pm shift.
  • November through March – One or two people work the 11 am to 3 pm shift.

What are the benefits of volunteering with BVI?

Volunteering with BVI provides a meaningful way to stay connected to TVA’s mission, contribute to the community, and work alongside fellow retirees and professionals.

Contact BVI

If you have questions about BVI volunteer opportunities, our team is happy to help.