By achieving NAHRO's Certified Specialist of Occupancy (CSSO-HCV) designation, an individual has demonstrated that they have the knowledge, skills and ability necessary to understand the housing choice voucher occupancy cycle. They can implement policies and procedures including effective interviewing and screening, maintaining waitlists, evaluating eligibility and income, calculating rents and utility allowances accurately, voucher issuance and housing search, rent reasonableness, and handling lease and grievance procedures. This individual also demonstrates an understanding of the role and responsibility of a supervisor or manager position and can identify critical competencies, of the elements involved with successful recruitment, selection and retention of staff, of the value in understanding others and the power of listening for understanding. He/she also has acquired new skills in performance management and can use critical thinking and problem- solving to address causal issues, has learned techniques to make decisions effectively, and uses goal setting, collaboration, and teamwork to enhance the work environment for optimum high performance.
