‘People Profile’: Featuring Amanda Trujillo, budget director for the Administrative Services Division with the New Mexico Department of Public Safety

DPS: Tell me about your job at the Department of Public Safety and what makes you passionate about what you do.

Amanda: I serve as the budget director for the Department of Public Safety. My primary responsibility is ensuring that our divisions and programs have the resources they need to operate effectively and efficiently in support of public safety across New Mexico.

What I enjoy most about my role is helping turn ideas and operational needs into reality by finding solutions and ensuring funding is available to support our mission – such as the budget request process for forensic laboratory employee salary increases. Providing leadership and decision-makers with the information needed during budget hearings and the legislative session helped secure additional funding, which has assisted with employee retention and maintaining critical forensic services. Knowing that my work helps support programs that directly impact public safety is what keeps me motivated.

DPS: What drew you to this role and how did you get started?

Amanda: After spending eight years in the Budget Bureau, I felt I was already performing many of the responsibilities associated with the role. When the opportunity became available, I saw it as a chance to officially step into a leadership position and continue supporting the Department’s mission.

One challenge throughout my career has been learning through experience. I have often found myself in situations where I was expected to lead before receiving formal training. While challenging at times, those experiences taught me to adapt, solve problems, and continuously learn. Today, I am focused on being an effective leader and creating a strong foundation for those who may follow in my footsteps.

DPS: How do you achieve balance between work and your personal life?

Amanda: Maintaining balance can be challenging, especially in a role that requires planning for both expected and unexpected needs. While I take my responsibilities seriously, my family always comes first. I am fortunate to have a supportive family that understands the importance of my work and encourages me to maintain a healthy balance between my professional and personal life. My family’s support comes through the little things that make a big difference. My husband is always willing to help around the house, whether it’s starting dinner, doing dishes, or helping manage day-to-day responsibilities. That support allows me to focus on my work while still maintaining balance at home.

Family is my priority because I never want to miss life’s important moments. I recently watched my oldest son graduate from high school, and it was a reminder of how quickly time passes. Experiences like that reinforce the importance of being present and making time for the people who matter most.

DPS: What’s something people often misunderstand about your job?

Amanda: Sometimes people view budget decisions as simply saying “yes” or “no.” In reality, our role is to ensure resources are managed responsibly while balancing current needs with future priorities. Our goal is always to find solutions that support the agency’s mission while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Finding solutions means looking beyond a simple “yes” or “no” answer. Budget decisions require consideration of many factors, including ongoing projects, staffing levels, vacancies, available funding, and future priorities. It is also important to understand that solutions are not made for just one bureau or division, they often impact multiple bureaus, programs, and levels of management across the department.

My approach is always to focus on realistic, department-wide solutions that support operational needs while maintaining fiscal responsibility. It’s about balancing immediate priorities with long-term sustainability and ensuring resources are used effectively across the entire agency.

DPS: What makes the New Mexico Department of Public Safety a unique place to work?

Amanda: DPS feels like a family because there is a genuine willingness among employees to support one another and work together toward a common goal. Regardless of division or position, people understand that everyone’s work contributes to public safety.

The culture is built on teamwork, professionalism, and a shared commitment to serving New Mexico. Employees take pride in the mission, and there is a strong sense of purpose knowing that our efforts help support both the communities we serve and the personnel who protect them.

DPS: Who or what inspires you in your career today?

Amanda: What inspires me most is seeing my team grow professionally and gain confidence in their abilities. One of the most rewarding experiences as a leader is watching team members take the lead in budget meetings, confidently answer questions, and present information to management.

Seeing that growth tells me they understand their roles, trust their knowledge, and are prepared to succeed. I want every member of my team to feel confident pursuing advancement opportunities and know they have the skills necessary to take on new challenges. Their success is one of the most rewarding parts of my career.

DPS: Outside of work, what hobbies or interests help you recharge?

Amanda: I enjoy spending time outdoors, whether it’s gardening, camping, or attending sporting events and activities with my family. These experiences help me recharge and maintain balance outside of work. Spending time outdoors helps me reconnect with what matters most, my family. I enjoy watching my children experience and appreciate the outdoors, especially since both of my boys enjoy fishing.

My husband and I also enjoy taking on projects around our home and yard. This year, we planted cherry and apple trees, and it’s rewarding to see the progress we’ve made since purchasing our home. Outside of that, we enjoy attending NFL games, concerts, and camping. We don’t have a favorite camping destination because we enjoy exploring different places, whether that’s taking our UTV into the mountains or spending time on the lake with our boat.

Story by New Mexico Department of Public Safety Public Information Officer John Heil.

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