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...or does that seem desperate?

I'm applying to my dream DA job at a pretty competitive office. I have no crim law experience, but technically qualify as a DA II (second from bottom tier) based on my years of civ law experience. I think I'll have a hard time competing with those in my tier who have crim law experience. I might be better off competing for the DA I position (entry level).

I've been granted an interview. Do I lay my cards out on the table and mention that I'd also be willing to be considered for the DA I position?

Yes.

Once you figure out a couple things from seeing it done/getting it explained once, being an Ada is ridiculously easy (from an intellectual standpoint, though it has other challenges for sure). It was easy to the point that I got really bored in a major metropolitan office while moving up the ranks and getting what to other adas were more and more serious/complex cases.

I came to recognize that those who succeed in the long term in that environment are those who view consistent intellectual ease as a feature and not a bug.

I say all of this to make the point that there’s a reason your office has you slotted to go into a level above the bottom based on years of experience alone (even with no criminal background). I do complex commercial civil lit now, and I’m telling you that it’s way harder and if you can do it you’ll pick up all the criminal stuff in a couple months.

You don’t want to sell yourself short and assume you’ll be way behind or whatever. It’s one thing if you think it’s the only way you’ll land the job and you’re desperate for it, but don’t just do it if you don’t have to.

Feel free to pm me if you’d like to discuss Ada experience versus complex commercial biglaw lit in more detail.

OP here. Thanks to both of you! @objctnyrhnr, definitely going to message you to take you up on that generous offer.