Unfortunately setting a dimmer level without turning it on is not possible. This is a hardware limitation. You have a few choices.
When a dimmer is turned off it retains the current dim level. This level is used when the dimmer Is turned on.
What i do is trigger on the dimmer on event, then issue a set level command to change the dimmer level based on criteria, mostly lux.
I’m not sure what your trying to do with the rolling timer and the dim level, is this like a slow dim thing?
If you’re looking to automatically manage your dimmer levels based on lux, then autoDimmer is for you. A nice feature about it is that the levels get set the same way if turned on manually or via another app.