No, you don't.
Stack Exchange community managers will act as diamond moderators at first, then will invite members they feel might fit the job description as Pro Tem moderators. Criteria include activity on the new site itself, as well as experience with other Stack Exchange sites.
Pro Tem moderators then act as liaison between the Stack Exchange team and the new site community until the first proper moderator elections are held.
Quoting from the blog post that introduced the Pro Tem moderator concept:
About a week into the public beta, we will seek out members who are deeply engaged in the community’s development; members who:
- Have a reasonably high reputation score to indicate active, consistent participation.
- Show an interest in their meta’s community-building activities.
- Lead by example, showing patience and respect for their fellow community members in everything they write.
- Exhibit those intangible traits discussed in A Theory of Moderation.
Bonus points for:
- Members with participation in both meta and the parent site (i.e. interest in both community building and expertise in the field).
- Area 51 participation, social network referrals, or blogging about the site.
- Members who have already shown an interest or ability to promote their community.
As initiator of the site at Area 51 it may be that you have exhibited these traits, but it is not a given that you are offered a Pro Tem diamond position just because you started the ball rolling.