Interesting.
Most of us come into timing sports because of a preexisting relationship; ex athlete, family member, etc. That allows us to gain the confidence of the judge, scorers, and staff quickly and learn on the job some of the nuances of the sport. You certainly have to be aware of the rules and the various hierarchies but you don't need to be an official.
Some sports like US Cycling are now moving towards following the Triathlon and Running model where the timing company takes the lead with all scoring and the sanctioning body just reviews the results, rather than creating them.
The entire purpose of electronic timing and scoring is fairness. Giving each athlete, regardless of seed, a fair and accurate record of their accomplishment, within the guidelines of the sanctioning bodies rules.
Taking the introductory courses offered by most federations is a great idea if you are moving into a new area. It lets you meet the people you will be working with in the future and feel them out. Most courses are inexpensive and take a few hours. A good investment.