Scalera graduated from Nutley High School and Essex County College (Fire Code Technology). Scalera received an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities from Essex County College. He is the Retired Deputy Fire Chief in Nutley., New Jersey Legislature. Accessed April 2, 2008.
In the Assembly, Scalera served on the Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee (as Chair), Housing and Local Government Committee and the Labor Committee. Scalera has served on the Governor's Task Force on Community Emergency Response, Citizen Corps since 2003 and on the Essex County Local Emergency Planning Council since 1991.
Scalera resigned suddenly in January 2011, and was replaced by Essex County Democrats by Kevin J. Ryan, a Nutley native.